This episode appears to be based on four separate cases/incidents:
- The scandalous 2004 resignation of New Jersey Governor James McGreevey (which became effective five days after this episode aired).
- The 2004 scandal involving Connecticut Governor John Rowland (also resulting in his own resignation).
- The 2004 Jason West case.
- The brief period of gay marriages in 2004 that were permitted at the direction of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and later annulled by the California Supreme Court.