The resolution, if passed, would make Palm Springs one of the only cities in California to even address the gay marriage issue, according to Equality California, a statewide advocacy group focused on securing legal protections for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Equality California said the group chose Palm Springs specifically because of its large gay population, estimated at about 40 percent of its 40,000 permanent residents, and the fact that three of its five council members are openly gay: Pougnet, Rick Hutcheson and Ginny Foat.