TAKE ACTION: Hawaiian Governor Decides on Civil Unions Today!

Hawaiian Governor Linda Lingle (R) has to decide today whether to sign, veto, or let the civil unions bill just become law. Lingle has met with both sides of the debate and has been mum as to how she will act.

Please tell Governor Lingle to sign the civil unions bill into law.
E-contact form
Phone: (808) 586-0221 or (808) 586-0222

Tell Hawaiian Governor Linda Lingle to Sign the Civil Unions Bill

The Hawaiian legislature passed the civil unions bill by a vote of 31-20 (three votes short of a veto proof majority) a few weeks ago. The bill passed the senate back in January, earlier this year. The bill now sits at the desk of Republican Governor Linda Lingle who has not spoken publicly on whether she will sign, veto, or ignore the bill.

The deadline for action on the bill is July 6th, meanwhile the Governor is keeping her options open and putting the bill on a possible veto list. She has met with proponents and opponents of the bill and is weighing her options carefully.

Please tell Governor Lingle to sign the civil unions bill into law.
E-contact form
Phone: (808) 586-0221 or (808) 586-0222

Last Ditch Effort to Bring Civil Unions to Hawaii this Session

Hawaii has had a heated debate about the legalization of civil unions (House Bill 444) for same-sex couples for the past few years. In the early part of the year the Senate passed civil unions legislation but the House of Representatives delayed a vote indefinitely.

The opportunity to bring the bill back to the floor this session ends on Thursday. Both sides of the argument are lobbying their legislators and rallying to either vote or delay the bills discussion.

Please contact members of the Hawaii Legislature and tell them to pass HB444 here.

Hawaiian LGBT families can join Citizens for Equal Rights to show pictures of their families to elected officials.

Hawaii House Postpones Civil Unions Vote Indefinitely

Hawaii was on the verge of making history today by passing comprehensive civil unions legislation. The bill had enough votes to pass had the House not decided to delay a vote indefinitely. Same-sex couples in Hawaii demand justice and equality and not political maneuvering by representatives. Please continue to contact representatives and demand the bill be brought to the floor this session.

Hawaii Senate Approves Civil Unions

The Hawaiian Senate has voted in favor of the civil union legislation by a veto-proof majority of 18-7. The bill now heads to the State House which approved a similar measure last year. It is widely expected to pass but may fall 1-2 votes short of veto-proof. Republican Governor Linda Lingle has not signaled whether she would sign the legislation into law.

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The Hawaii Senate is expected to debate and pass legislation to allow civil unions for same-sex couples. The legislation debated last year stalled and it is unknown whether they will get the veto proof majority needed to override a possible veto by Republican Governor Linda Lingle.

Governor Lingle has a mostly pro-gay rights record, but she has been mum on whether she would veto the legislation. She has repeatedly said that the Senate should focus on the economy and push this legislation to the side.

Contact your state Senator and urge them to vote for marriage equality.

Stop the Civil Unions Bill in Hawaii from Dying

Lack of support from a key senator makes it unlikely that a civil unions bill will be revived in the Hawaii legislature today, according to the Honolulu Advertiser.

State Senator Brian Taniguchi, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee, said he likely would not recall the bill from the committee, where it stalled in a 3-3 vote in February.

Although Taniguchi, a Democrat, earlier said he would recall the bill from his committee, recent appeals from the senate leadership reportedly have contributed to his about-face. He also expressed concern about the inability to garner the two-thirds votes needed in both chambers of the legislature to override a veto threat from Governor Linda Lingle, a Republican.

ACTION:
Contact Sen. Brian Taniguchi and tell them to support pulling the bill out of his committee!

Phone: 808-586-6460
Email: sentaniguchi@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Crossposted via Unite The Fight.

Take Action to Support Civil Unions in Hawaii

The civil unions bill has already passed the Hawai'i State House of Representatives, but it has hit a roadblock in the State Senate. It's not too late for the Senate to take action and pass this legislation, but we need your help. We need your voices, speaking in favor of equality, to let the State Senate and Governor Lingle know that many residents of Hawaii reject discrimination and support civil unions. Please sign the attached petition in support of the civil unions bill.

Sign the petition now to demand civil unions and pass this on to friends.

Anti-Gay Hate Group Allowed on U. Hawaii Campus

University of Hawaii students have been verbally and emotionally harassed by an outside group that has been flown in to the state to use scare tactics due to the students overwhelming support for a civil unions bill.

A mainland U.S. christian hate group calling itself Bema Ministries turned up on the campus last week to preach, harass, photograph, and intimidate students at the Campus Center. They will be there this coming week as well. They showed up on the University of Hawaii's Manoa campus, screamed at students for a few hours on Wednesday, got kicked out because they didn't have a permit, and then returned with a permit issued by the university chancellor the next day.

The student code of conduct expressly forbids hate speech yet this non-student group came on campus and not only made anti-gay statements, but told Hawaiian students that the sovereignty movement was idolatrous and evil, and told Buddhist students they would burn in hell. The main course of hate was reserved for UH Manoa's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex students (Pam's Houseblend).

Counter protests are being planned, a sit in at the Chancellor's office is also expected until these demonstrators leave.

This is unacceptable, that a non-student, non-Hawaiian hate group is allowed to come onto a campus to harass students. Please contact the chancellor immediately to revoke their permit to enter the campus, this is a safety issue, as well as a violation of the universities principles.

Chancellor's Office
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2500 Campus Road
Hawaiʻi Hall 202
Honolulu, HI 96822
808-956-7651

You can also use this E-feedback form to voice your complaints.

Urgent Alert: Help Pass Civil Unions in Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee

The Hawaiian Senate Judiciary Committee meets tomorrow morning to vote on whether the entire senate should vote on the civil unions bill.

The six Senate committee members appear to be deadlocked on the bill, as Sen. Robert Bunda, considered the swing vote, announced that he will vote against it.

The expected count has Sens. Brian Taniguchi, Dwight Takamine and Clarence Nishihara in favor and Sens. Bunda, Mike Gabbard and Sam Slom opposed. (Star Bulletin)

Senator Bunda has stated he is open to recognition of same-sex couples, but he feels this legislation is a move to bring HI closer to gay marriage, while Senator Slom is completely opposed on the grounds that only those who can procreate should have access to the institution of marriage.

Please email ALL 6 senators and explain why they should vote in favor of civil unions. The list starts with the most crucial, those who are currently opposed.

Senator Robert Bunda [OPPOSED]
808-586-6090
senbunda@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Sam Slom [OPPOSED]
808-586-8420
senslom@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Mike Gabbard [OPPOSED]
808-586-6830
sengabbard@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Brian Taniguchi [SUPPORTS]
808-586-6460
sentaniguchi@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Senator Clarence K. Nishihara [SUPPORTS]
808-586-6970
sennishihara@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Dwight Takamine [SUPPORTS]
808-586-7335
sentakamine@capitol.hawaii.gov

Nearing an Aloha for Civil Unions?

The Hawaii House has passed a civil unions bill and now the bill moves up the way for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee where the fate of the legislation is uncertain.

Please contact members of the senate and urge them to support civil unions. A full list of senators can be found here.

Urge Senator Robert Bunda to Side With Equality on Hawaii Civil Unions Bill

Hawaii is close to having civil unions, the house has just passed the bill and now it is up to the senate. In order for the bill to come up for a vote it needs to advance through the committee.

On the six-member committee, 3 are supportive, 2 against and one who has been against but is now a swing vote.

Sen. Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa) said he needs to get a better understanding of the legislation and will consider it even though he has been opposed to same-sex unions in the past.

Please contact Mr. Bunda and politely urge him to support civil unions, remind him that his election is historic as being the first Filipino to attain the presidency of any state legislature and that he should stand up for diversity and equality.

senbunda@Capitol.hawaii.gov

22nd Senatorial District
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 202
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone 808-586-6090; fax 808-586-6091

Hawaii Civil Unions Bill Hearing on 2/5, Testimony Needed!

URGENT ALERT: House Bill 444, A Bill For An Act Relating to Civil Unions in Hawaii, will be heard by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, 2/5/09, at 2 p.m. in Conference Room 325 at the State Capitol (415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu).

Testimony needs to be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a cover indicating:

* Testifier's name with position/title and organization
* The Committee the comments are directed to (in this case, Judiciary)
* The date and time of the hearing
* The measure number (HB 444)
* The number of copies the Committee is requesting

Testimony can be submitted in ONE of the following ways:

* Paper: One copy plus original to Room 302 in the State Capitol
* Fax: For comments less than five pages in length, transmit to 586-8494 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (Neighbor Islands).
* E-mail: For comments less than five pages in length, email to JUDtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov

RECOMMENDATIONS: Please refer to Family Equality Coalition e-mail of 2/1/09 for suggested guidelines for preparing testimony. It is posted at http://tinyurl.com/family-equality. It is recommended that you keep your testimony brief! The goal is to get through this hearing in no more than three to four hours and move directly to a vote.

PLANS TO MEET: Please arrive by 1 p.m. We will meet in the Capitol Rotunda on the Iolani Palace side. Family Equality Coalition will distribute Equality stickers for you to wear during the hearing. We will also go over some guidelines for suggested decorum.

IF UNABLE TO ATTEND: If you are unable to attend the public hearing, please submit testimony regardless. It will still be part of the public record and be of much benefit.

Crossposted via Pam's House Blend.