Just over a year ago, my partner, Tom Bridegroom, accidentally fell off a roof while taking photographs of our best friend. He died a few hours later. He was just 29 years old.

We had been together for nearly six years when that happened and were absolutely committed to being together for the rest of our lives. We'd bought a home together. We'd started a business together. We'd adopted a dog together. We dreamed of starting a family when we could, and getting married as soon as it became legal.

But marriage is still illegal in California, and because of that, Tom's parents -- who were opposed to him being gay and opposed to our relationship as a result -- had all the legal rights, and I had none.