Gay marriage is the last bastion of, to me... as a legal, ceremonial, sentimental and religious side, it's one of the last steps. Retaining your job being one of the earlier steps, like, not getting kicked out of your job because you're gay.

In this quote, Gus Van Sant, a renowned filmmaker and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, reflects on the progress of LGBTQ+ rights, particularly focusing on gay marriage as a significant milestone. He describes gay marriage as the "last bastion" in a series of steps toward equality for the LGBTQ+ community, which includes not only legal recognition but also ceremonial, sentimental, and religious aspects. Van Sant views the legalization of gay marriage as a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for equal rights and acceptance.

The origin of this statement likely comes from discussions around the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights in society. Van Sant is acknowledging that, while gay marriage represents an important final step for many, it builds upon earlier victories, such as job protection for LGBTQ+ individuals and the right to not be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation. By mentioning the earlier step of retaining a job, he highlights how, for many years, simply being able to live without fear of losing one's job due to being gay was a struggle. These legal victories paved the way for larger societal changes.

Van Sant’s comment also points to the intersection of legal, social, and religious recognition. While gay marriage is largely a legal and ceremonial issue, it also has deep personal and religious significance for many couples. His statement draws attention to the complexity of the issue, where social acceptance, legal rights, and religious beliefs intersect in ways that shape the broader conversation on same-sex marriage.

Ultimately, Van Sant’s quote underscores the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and how each legal and societal victory, from job protections to gay marriage, represents an incremental but crucial step toward achieving full equality. He emphasizes that gay marriage is not just a legal issue but one with emotional, ceremonial, and sentimental value, marking the culmination of decades of advocacy and progress.