Hawaii Governor Signs Civil Union Bill

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force reports that the Governor of Hawaii has signed a bill granting same-sex couples the right to civil unions. Read more here.

Gov. Linda Lingle (R) of Hawaii vetoes civil union bill

From the NY Daily News

"Hawaii is supposed to be paradise. But maybe not for everyone.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a controversial civil unions bill on Tuesday that would have granted gay, lesbian and opposite-sex couples the same rights and benefits as married couples.

The legislation, which was approved by the Legislature in April, would have made Hawaii one of six states – in addition to California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington – to give the rights of marriage to same-sex couples without sanctioning marriage itself.

Lingle argued that voters, not politicians, should decide on the future of same-sex civil unions.

"The subject of this legislation has touched the hearts and minds of our citizens as no other social issue of our day," she said. "It would be a mistake to allow a decision of this magnitude to be made by one individual or a small group of elected officials."

The American Civil Liberties Union and other pro-civil unions groups said they will file a lawsuit in state court within the next month.

"We are standing ready to file that lawsuit in short order to ensure that LGBT families in Hawaii are provided equal rights and benefits," Lois Perrin, legal director of ACLU Hawaii told KITV4 News in Honolulu. "To be sure, the Hawaii Constitution already provides that and we're going to make sure that the courts agree with us."

Perrin said the lawsuit could take months and perhaps even years to work its way through he legal system.

Shortly after Lingle's announcement, many opponents of the civil unions bill applauded, dropped to their knees, cried and prayed.

"What she did was very just, and I'm very happy about it," said Jay Amina, 50, of Waianae. "It sends a good message throughout the state of Hawaii — that our people here on the islands are standing for traditional marriage."

Supporters of the civil unions were outraged, shouting "We'll keep fighting!" and sang "We Shall Overcome."

"We had hoped the governor would do the right thing for civil rights and equality," Lee Yarbrough of Honolulu said while standing with his partner. "This battle is far from over." "

Delay in Hawaii kills civil union bill

The Advocate reports:

"Posted on Advocate.com January 30, 2010
Hawaii Kills Civil Unions Bill
By Advocate.com Editors

The state House of Representatives on Friday decided to delay vote on a civil unions bill that had passed the state Senate last week, effectively killing the bill, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. The proposal, which would have granted same-sex couples in the state all the rights of marriage—except marriage itself—can’t be reconsidered this session unless two-thirds of the representatives vote to bring it back to the floor.

Supporters of the civil unions bill called for the house members to take a roll call vote, which would have put their position on the issue on record, but the members instead shouted “aye” or “no” before the vice speaker of the House ruled that the motion to delay the vote had passed.
The announcement caused civil right supporters to yell “Shame on you!” while opponents of the proposal cheered.
“It’s an election year and they’re more concerned about keeping their seats than doing what’s right,” said Stephen Nagle, who was wearing a rainbow lei to show his support for civil unions."