The landmark Supreme Court rulings on June 26 broady supported same-sex marriage, but that may be just the first step.

For many gay and lesbian small business owners, one of the next moves may be to seek recognition as members of a disadvantaged minority for the purpose of pursuing government contract set-asides.

There is a nascent movement developing to create federal, state and local set-asides for gay-owned small firms, according to a recent article in Inc. magazine. (Web link: http://goo.gl/xAl3t)

The idea already has won over several elected officials, in cities including Chicago, IL and Charlotte, VA. Several corporate supplier diversity programs already recognize gays as a minority group.

There are about 1.4 million gay-owned businesses in the United States; fewer than 10% are government contractors, Inc. said.

In related news, President Obama recently told gay activists that he would not sign an executive order protecting homosexuals from discrimination by federal contractors. The president said he endorsed a legislative solution.