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STATE HOUSE FAILS TO GUARANTEE EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL HAWAII FAMILIES
Equality Hawaii, the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization, today denounced the Hawaii State House for failing to take up and pass HB 444 SD1, the state Civil Unions bill. The bill would have provided that the equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii are afforded to thousands of non-married couples in the state. The House voted by voice vote to postpone the bill indefinitely, effectively killing the bill for the session.
"We're sorely disappointed that the Hawaii State House refused to take action on the Civil Unions bill," said Tambry Young, Co-Chair of Equality Hawaii. "Today, the House put its own political interests before the interests of Hawaii's families and that's bad policy and bad politics. We pledge that this fight is not over, and we will continue in our efforts to see true equality in our state."
The decision by the House comes on the heels of swift action in the Senate which saw the bill pass by an 18-7 vote on January 22. House Speaker Calvin Say suggested earlier in the week that the House may not be willing to reconsider the bill if the majority could not garner enough votes to override a possible veto from the Governor. The Governor has never made a veto threat on the topic of Civil Unions.
"We're stunned that the Hawaii State House would act contrary to their previous position of strongly supporting this bill," said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. "We thank all those who advocate for equality in the Aloha State, especially our friends in the legislature and with Equality Hawaii. We have been a proud partner with Hawaii's fair-minded residents for decades and will continue to stand by their side in the struggle for equality."
"This fight is not over and we will ultimately prevail," said Alan Spector, Legislative Affairs Co-Chair for Equality Hawaii. "It is simply unfathomable that politics and election considerations would supersede honor, integrity and common-sense. Today, these Representatives did not represent their constituent's families – shame on them."
Equality Hawaii is dedicated to securing equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their families in Hawaii. We envision a Hawaii in which LGBT people and their families have full equality in all areas of the law.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Full Story. [2/1/10]
HAWAII STATE SENATE APPROVES HB 444 SD1
Civil Unions bill now heads to state House for consideration
HONOLULU – Equality Hawaii, the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization, today applauded the Hawaii State Senate for passing HB 444 SD1 by an 18-7 vote. The bill provides that the equal rights and responsibilities of married couples in Hawaii be afforded to thousands of non-married couples in the state. The bill now heads to the Hawaii State House for their consideration.
"We're very pleased that the Hawaii State Senate took action and passed the Civil Unions bill today," said Tambry Young, Co-Chair of Equality Hawaii. "The Senate acted with great courage, conviction and integrity. They did the right thing for all of Hawaii's families."
The final vote in the Senate came after an amendment to change the effective date of the legislation failed to garner enough votes to pass. The issue of the effective date of the bill arose when the bill failed to secure final passage in the 2009 portion of the legislative session, which ended last May. Authors of the bill, anticipating passage would come in 2009 originally listed the effective date as January 1, 2010. On November 25, the Hawaii Attorney General issued an opinion on the potential date complication. In that opinion, the Attorney General clearly stated that the retroactive date would not invalidate the legislation.
"The Human Rights Campaign congratulates all those who have advocated for equality in the Aloha State, especially our friends in the legislature and at Equality Hawaii," said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. "We have been a proud partner with Hawaii's fair-minded residents for decades and will continue to stand by their side in the struggle for equality."
"This particular fight for HB 444 has spanned more than two years, but is just one more step in the decade's long struggle for equality that so many residents of Hawaii have sought" said Alan Spector, Legislative Affairs Co-Chair for Equality Hawaii. "The road has been long and the fight has been emotional, but today we're one step closer to providing equal rights and responsibilities to all of Hawaii's loving couples and their families."
The legislation now moves to the state House for its consideration of the amended bill, HB 444 SD1. The House would need to concur with the Senate version or amend the bill to change the effective date, which would send the bill to conference committee, before the final bill heads to Governor Linda Lingle's desk. The Governor may sign the bill, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature after 10 days.
Equality Hawaii is dedicated to securing equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their families in Hawaii. We envision a Hawaii in which LGBT people and their families have full equality in all areas of the law.
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
> Full Story. [1/26/10]
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