(Honolulu, Hawaii) A bill that would give same-sex couples in Hawaii all of the rights of marriage has passed the state House on a 33-17 vote. It now moves to the Senate.
The measure would legalize civil unions with all of the benefits, protections and responsibilities of marriage. It also would recognize domestic partnerships entered into in other states. Marriages from Massachusetts and Connecticut would be regarded as civil unions.
Under the legislation, same-sex couples would have to obtain a license and then have the civil union performed by a judge, a retired judge or a member of the clergy.
“It’s really inspiring for me today,” said state House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro (D) the bill’s sponsor. But its main opponent, State Rep. Gene Ward (R) said it was the beginning of a “slippery slope” and that gays would not be satisfied until they got same-sex marriage. “This is not to condemn individuals, it’s to protect an institution,” he said.
In 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court was the first in the country to rule that barring same-sex marriage could be a violation of the state constitutional protection of equal rights.
http://www.365gay.com/news/hawaii-civil-unions-bill-passes-house/
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