Ann Katrows, 55, was with her partner of 14 years, Donna McGhee, at the heavily gay Grady High School voting precinct late this afternoon and both said they voted all Democrats, including for Roy Barnes.

Not that they were necessarily happy about doing so, however.

“I don’t like any of the candidates,” Katrows said. “I don’t like [Barnes]. I just don’t care for Nathan Deal. I’m a Democrat at heart. I’ve been a little discouraged lately but I think we need to give them a little bit more time.”

McGhee shook her head to also express disappointment with the candidates and said, “I don’t know what else to do.”

Lisa Jordan, dressed in a red, white and blue ensemble and who described herself as gay-friendly, said voting is an important part of being an American no matter what your beliefs. Hers just happen to be Democrat.

“I voted Democrat [because] they share my policy beliefs,” she said. “I think they get more things done than we realize.”

For Mario Hernandez, 62, a gay man who has voted since he was old enough to do so, said this election was just as important as the one two years ago.

“I voted straight Democrat,” he said while standing on the high school’s patio outside the polling place. “The Republicans just have a stronghold ‘no’ party. I want things done. It’s time we move forward as a country. The GOP has been holding up everything in Congress.”

Hernandez added that what happens in Congress trickles down to impact Georgia as well and it’s important to keep allies in office even if many LGBT voters don’t think Obama has moved fast enough on some of the community’s issues.

“It’s very interesting. We sat for eight years with the former Republican president and Congress and waited and now everybody wants something done in two years. It ain’t going to work that way,” he said.

“We’ve [Democrats] have made significant advancements for the gay and lesbian movement. The courts are now stepping in and eliminating these stupid discriminatory restrictions. Obama is pushing forward on the military. It does take time,” he said.

Hernandez was hopeful with the turnout at Grady during his late afternoon visit to the poll. Usually, he said, he walks in and out. Today he waited several minutes in line before being able to cast his votes.

“I hope more people are voting today,” he said.

But still some gay voters were acknowledging they were not happy with the choices.

Scott Raffield, 28, voted for Roy Barnes because, he said as many have said, he was the lesser of two evils.

“I don’t love any of the candidates. But the lesser of two evils is still the lesser of two evils,” he said. Raffield added that Barnes also seemed to have better ideas for transportation in the city and protecting the environment.

“I love Atlanta. But Georgia is a little behind,” he said. “I try not to look at the propaganda and instead at the issues. I like [Barnes’] plans for energy. It looked like the smartest thing for me,” he said.