A Hawaii Senate committee is deadlocked on legislation that would grant civil unions to same-sex couples, with all of the rights of marriage but without the name. The split would normally stall the legislation but Senate leaders are expected to move the bill directly to the Senate floor for a vote.
After 15 hours of often very emotional testimony, the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee voted 3-3. The Honolulu Advertiser:
More than 1,400 people signed up to testify before an overflow standing-room only audience, while hundreds of people gathered in the hallways outside the auditorium to watch the hearing on television.
"We tried to get the testimony out. We wanted people to at least testify what they were felling about," said state Sen. Brian Taniguchi, D-10th (Manoa, McCully), chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee. "I know there's a lot of venting and just self-expression that people wanted to do."
"There is no question that the caucus supports passing civil-unions legislation," said state Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau). "But there is some concern among members about the process, and not wanting to short-circuit the process in our effort to pass what we think is the right thing to do."
At least 18 of the 25 senators say they favor civil unions. Senate leaders believe they have the votes necessary to recall the bill from committee and bring it to the full Senate for a vote.
The state House passed the bill in a 33-17 vote earlier this month. Gov. Linda Lingle has not said whether she would sign or veto the bill if it reaches her desk. On Tuesday, thousands of people descended on the Capitol, with civil-union opponents wearing red shirts far outnumbering gay-rights supporters wearing gold stickers with the word "Equality" written in green.
Civil Unions Bill Draws Large Crowd [Advertiser]
Committee Deadlocks on HU Gay Unions Bill [P1Q]
Did You Read...
Hawaii House Passes Civil Unions Bill [R20]
That was a HUGE turnout against this bill. I'm so very surprised, I thought Hawaii was very progressive.
Posted by: Tandio | 25 February 2009 at 21:33
Sadly, the evangelical Christians have made tremendous inroads here in Hawai'i.
Hawai'i is a hard place to survive for those who are neither rich nor well-connected. As they do everywhere they go, the evangelical Christians here prey on people's financial insecurity and feelings of social inferiority, and there are plenty of both here to keep the churches full. The Christians are particularly successful in recruiting recent immigrants, especially from societies in which people are taught deference to authority.
Fifty years ago, this state had a tradition of radical unionism that had successfully organized against the plantation owners. Most of the radicals are either old or dead now. In their place are the made-for-TV preachers delivering their morally bankrupt "prosperity gospel": If you praise God's name loud enough, you will be graced with a big-ass SUV.
Meanwhile, according to the testimony at last night's Senate hearing, we gay folks are diseased (rarely living past forty), are pedophiles, and are an all-round abomination in the eyes of the Lord and man.
As much as one may suspect it, it is always shocking to be confronted directly with how wicked one's neighbors and co-workers are. My personal dilemna is that my boss, a member of the largest mega-church on the island, lobbied fiercely the last two weekends against the civil unions bill. I give the best part of my day and my talents up to a person who basically wants me dead.
Posted by: Jim | 26 February 2009 at 01:47
Memo to Obama: it's your home state; they'll listen. Time to lead.
Posted by: Andy Niable | 26 February 2009 at 17:48