LGBTQ news and entertainment
Watch Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie sign marriage equality into law. The signing will be at 3pmEST/NoonPST/10amHST
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| Gov. Abercrombie seconds after signing marriage equality into law |
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| The Governor of Hawaii and legislators who brought marriage equality to the Aloha State |
Coming right after thrilling wins in Illinois and New Jersey, our Hawaii triumph really underscores how far we’ve come.
We still have a lot to do to finish the job. But as shown by the hard-fought, long-sought win in Hawaii and our other recent victories, when we work together, we get it done.
Because of this work, millions of Americans have evolved into a national majority for marriage. Today, Hawaii’s leaders have joined them by opening their hearts and changing their minds, writing this latest chapter in America’s history of liberty and justice for all.
From Human Rights Campaign via press release:
This is another chapter in an exciting string of victories this year. But more than that, it’s proof that hard work, long-term dedication, and the support of individuals from around the country (including YOU) can make the difference when it comes to securing basic rights for loving couples.
Hawaii was one of the first states to begin fighting for marriage equality, and helped raise this question of fundamental rights to a national consciousness. And though our progress has ebbed and flowed over the years, today we can finally claim victory.
The state Senate of Hawaii just passed marriage equality by 19-4 in the final vote on the issue.
The Senate had passed the legislation on October 30th by a vote of 20-4.
Due to some minor amendments passed with the bill in the state House, the Senate had to take one more technical vote before sending to Gov. Abercrombie’s desk.
Marriage equality is set to begin December 2nd.
Celebrate kids! Happy Dance Time!
Before last night’s state House vote in Hawaii, Rep. Jo Jordan explained her vote against marriage equality in a post at Honolulu Magazine.
I’m choosing not to look at the news, but I hear I’m being blasted pretty bad.
As soon as I got off the floor, probably within the first half hour… (makes explosion noises) I want to have faith that it’s the Mainland and it’s not here. I’m like, “You don’t know who I am, No. 1, because obviously you weren’t in those hearings.”
I totally thought I was going to get blasted by the religious community. When I walked into the hearings, I was like, those faith-based guys are going to come out. And not one of them said anything. They were more about, “Thank you, thank you for listening.” And they didn’t know who I was. Outside, I was Rep. Jordan sitting at the table. They had no idea who I was, or my lifestyle, and that’s why I like it. Can we get to know each other before you know the rest of the stuff?
I was blasted by the GLBT community on Saturday, outside the door. That took me aback. At the time, I hadn’t stated my position, and I was still undecided. These were testifiers the day before, saying, “How can you be undecided? You should be a ‘yes.’ Do you know what this means?” And I politely engaged with them: “I have some problems with SB1.” I explained the issues and they slammed me again. “It’s good. Just vote yes.” They started getting boisterous. My natural instinct is, I’m going to fly some words at you. But you can’t, so I’m like, “Thank you.”
It has been interesting. I am not part of any faith-based group, so I walked in thinking those were going to be the ones going, grrrr, grrrr. But unfortunately, it’s been coming from my community during the hearing. I was like, “Wow, so much for minorities that have been suppressed.” But I’ve got to look at it this way: Maybe they feel they’ve been suppressed for so long that they no longer can contain it and they are just going to lash out at anything without thinking first. But I have to keep that faith to help me not take it personally. It’s not about who is right and who is wrong. It’s about, are we creating a measure that meets the needs of all?
As I tweeted last night during the final debate in the Hawaii state House, “what a decision to live with for the rest of your life @repjordan. Remember this day. It will define you.”
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| Graphic via Memeographs |
In total, there were 50 votes for marriage equality, and 23 votes to continue discrimination.
The tide of history…
And the state House of Hawaii passes marriage equality by a vote of 30-19.
The bill retains amendments which means it must return to Senate to passage before advancing to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who is committed to signing it.
Hawaii’s bill is scheduled to take effect December 2.
It’s looking like the final vote for marriage equality in the Hawaii state House could be Friday:
In a roll call vote, House lawmakers voted 30-18 to move forward the bill for a final reading, with three members excused. The bill will go to a last vote on Friday.
If the measure passes the House, it will have to be approved by the state Senate because of three amendments added during a House committee hearing.
The vote came after several rejected attempts on Wednesday to modify and change the bill, plus smaller votes that revealed majority support to move along the measure.
If the sessions go as planned, the House will vote on the bill Friday, allowing the Senate to give its final approval Tuesday before forwarding the bill to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who called the special session. Abercrombie has said he approves of the bill as amended by the House.
The big surprise last night came when openly lesbian Democratic Rep. Jo Jordan of Waianae said she would oppose the bill despite her personal beliefs. Sad to say, it would appear the five days of anti-gay testimony swayed her opinion.
“I might vote against something that I personally believe in. I personally believe I should have the right,” Jordan said. “You know how hard it is for me to say no? I have to say no.”
As it currently stands, if the bill passes in current form marriage equality would begin in Hawaii on December 2, 2013.
After almost five full days of testimony from 5,182 citizens over 60 hours, the Hawaii House Judicial and Finance Committees have voted to pass the marriage equality bill currently being considered to the full House:
The committees added three amendments to the bill.
The first set the start date for December 2, 2013. The second removed section 572-C from the bill, which asserted parents’ rights and responsibilities including paternity, maternity, and parentage presumptions based on marriage. Lastly, the committee added religious protections similar to those included in Connecticut’s marriage equality law, protecting religious organizations from having to participate in the solemnization of a same-sex marriage.
The bill now advances to the House, where it is expected to pass, at least according to a whip count from two weeks ago.
Effective date has been changed to December 2, 2013. It now goes to the House floor for a second reading and full vote. If any amendments are introduced to the bill, House representatives will be given 48 hours to review those changes before a third and final vote on the floor.
(via Think Progress)
And while Illinois House prepares to vote on marriage equality, the FIFTH day of public testimonies has begun in the Hawaii House, where anti-gay groups are continuing their “people’s filibuster” to run out the clock on the special legislative session by sending thousands of batshit crazy Bible-clutchers to speak.
Lawmakers have already heard from all 5,184 people who signed up, but they’re making their way through a second wave of people who missed their chance to speak the first time their numbers were called. After getting all the way to testifier #3,200 tonight — officials decided to recess and will continue the hearing tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10:30 a.m. with testifier #3,201. If possible, officials say they intend to complete decision making tomorrow. If they vote yes, it will advance the bill to the House floor for a second reading. If they vote no, it will kill the bill.
(from JMG)
The White House has released a statement expressing the president’s support for the passage of same-sex marriage in his home state.
A White House spokesman said Tuesday that Hawaii-born President Barack Obama would welcome a decision by the state Legislature to approve marriage equality:
“While the president does not weigh in on every measure being considered by state legislatures, he believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect,” Shin Inouye, a White House representative, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “As he has said, his personal view is that it’s wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, and want to marry, from doing so.”
Should the legislation, having passed in the state Senate and now before the House, get the required votes, it would head to the desk of Gov. Abercrombie who has stated he intends to sign the bill into law. Marriage equality could begin as soon as November 18th.
(via Advocate)