Test 2

Please select your preferred language.

請選擇你慣用的語言。

请选择你惯用的语言。

English
中文简体
台灣繁體
香港繁體

Login

Remember Me

New to Fridae?

Fridae Mobile

Advertisement
Highlights

More About Us

25 Feb 2009

Hawaii to decide on same-sex civil unions

Hawaii has become the latest battleground in the fight for same-sex civil unions. At the time of writing this report (10:57pm local time), the state Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee are still taking testimony from the 1300 people who signed up.

Update (Feb 26): After more than 15 hours of testimony, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3-3 on the bill at 3 am on Wednesday.

==============================================

Hawaii's Civil Union Bill passed in their House of Representatives earlier this month to allow same-sex civil unions and will be debated by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday before a vote is taken.

According to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, more than 1300 people signed up to testify on Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee. At the time of writing this report (10:57pm local time), the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations is still taking testimony.

The bill will give same-sex partners the same rights and benefits as married couples, and would recognise same-sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships from other US states.

Gov. Linda Lingle, a Republican, has declined to comment on the bill, and it is unclear whether she would veto it.

If it passes, Hawaii could become the fifth state in the US to legalise same-sex civil unions following in the steps of Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Vermont. Massachusetts and Connecticut allow same-sex marriage. Californians last November voted to overturn a court ruling that allowed same-sex marriage, but the state still offers domestic partnerships that guarantee the same rights as marriage.

Opponents of the measure - estimated at between 2,000 to 8,000 who were dressed in red - rallied at the state Capitol in Honolulu on Sunday afternoon saying they fear the erosion of an island culture that values conventional family ties.

Religious groups have also bought newspaper advertisements, set up Web sites and held rallies urging lawmakers to vote against the measure.

In 1998, almost 70 percent of Hawaii voters approved a constitutional amendment granting the state Legislature the power to reserve marriage for opposite-sex couples.

The "defense of marriage" amendment - now in more than half of state constitutions - bans same-sex marriage in Hawaii and in effect negated a 1993 Hawaii Supreme Court ruling that found refusing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples to be discriminatory. The door is however open for civil unions.

Video by Hawaii's Honolulu Star-Bulletin

United States

Reader's Comments

Comment #1 was deleted by its author
2. 2009-02-26 12:18  
Is it just me, or does any of you find the civil union team a lot happier & healthier-looking than the 'stop supporting same-sex marriage' camp?
3. 2009-02-26 13:51  
I think this is a good example of ignorance and fear of what people don't understand -
'...rallied at the state Capitol in Honolulu on Sunday afternoon saying they fear the erosion of an island culture that values conventional family ties.'

Gay people have always been around and conventional family ties will always be there. That won't change just because they allow same sex marriages. It just allows gay people to live out proud, it's not going to convert the straight people.
4. 2009-02-26 20:35  
Great to know that at least they are looking into this matter. It will only boost the economy King Kamehameha V has a male companion.
5. 2009-02-26 22:45  
Now that CALIFORNIA has voted gay unions down, I hope Hawaii decides to CASH IN on the gay wedding market. The worse the American stock market gets, politics will start taking a back seat to economics!!! And guess what straight America: we gay people got the CASH!!!
6. 2009-02-27 06:15  
who is King Kamehameha V ?
7. 2009-03-04 15:10  
King Kamehameha V was the King in Hawaii from 1863 to 1872 - a life-long bachelor apparently ;)
8. 2009-03-05 17:06  
So what are the implications of this 3-3 vote?

Please log in to use this feature.

Social


Select News Edition

Featured Profiles

Now ALL members can view unlimited profiles!

Languages

View this page in a different language:

Like Us on Facebook

Partners

 ILGA Asia - Fridae partner for LGBT rights in Asia IGLHRC - Fridae Partner for LGBT rights in Asia

Advertisement