What would happen if the Republicans win again.?

I'm not really into politics that much, but I've really been into the election this year. I've read various articles over the place saying how McCain leads by a number of points over Obama in the polls. How he   has gained 20 points in the woman vote etc.  This is my first election and all this is slightly freaking me out. Everywhere I go I hear both men and women, including some gay ones, saying that they'd vote for the McCain-Palin ticket. Especially after some comments Obama made that were reportedly aimed at Palin. I don't understand. I mean this was the election we were not meant to lose. I can't believe that we could possibly lose, but it is possible.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/09/poll-madness-mccain-takes_n_125158.html

So if the worst case scenario was to occur and the Republicans win this year, realistically speaking how bad would it be for gay people? Would we lose all the rights gained so far? Would civil unions and a repeal of DADT and DOMA be impossible? Or is it possible that under a hostile Republican government we might advance more than we would otherwise? Are there any positives out there if this were to occur? Would more people be interested in activism?

How would you feel if the Democrats lost this year? And could anything positive actually come from this outcome?