Hawaii Democrats Reprimand State Senator Over Negative Civil-Union E-Mail
Posted on Aug 31, 2009 at 10:44 pm
The Honolulu Advertiser
August 30, 2009
Hawaii Democrats' Central Committee agreed Saturday to uphold a reprimand against state Senator Mike Gabbard, finding that the senator actively worked against a civil unions bill last session and undermined the party's platform which was in favor of LGBT equality. [Link]
August 30, 2009
Hawaii Democrats' Central Committee agreed Saturday to uphold a reprimand against state Senator Mike Gabbard, finding that the senator actively worked against a civil unions bill last session and undermined the party's platform which was in favor of LGBT equality. [Link]
Designated beneficiary rules grant unmarried pairs in Colorado decision-making power
Posted on Jul 01, 2009 at 09:31 pm
The Denver Post
July 1, 2009
In April, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed a bill that gives unmarried couples the right to enter into "designated beneficiary agreements," which guarantee many of the rights usually reserved for husbands and wives. The law goes into effect today. These rights apply to both opposite sex and same sex couples. Colorado and Hawaii are the only states that offer these types of agreements. Colorado's law is based on Hawaii's "reciprocal beneficiaries" program, which began in 1997. The main difference is that in Colorado, one person can designate another as a beneficiary even if that designation is not reciprocated. Beyond the added legal security, the law is seen as an important step toward bringing same-sex couples equal rights. [Link]
July 1, 2009
In April, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed a bill that gives unmarried couples the right to enter into "designated beneficiary agreements," which guarantee many of the rights usually reserved for husbands and wives. The law goes into effect today. These rights apply to both opposite sex and same sex couples. Colorado and Hawaii are the only states that offer these types of agreements. Colorado's law is based on Hawaii's "reciprocal beneficiaries" program, which began in 1997. The main difference is that in Colorado, one person can designate another as a beneficiary even if that designation is not reciprocated. Beyond the added legal security, the law is seen as an important step toward bringing same-sex couples equal rights. [Link]
‘Civil Unions’ Don’t Go Far Enough
Posted on May 30, 2009 at 01:27 am
Hawaii Star Bulletin
Editorial
May 29, 2009
"Hawaii legislators considered legalizing "civil unions" in this year's session, but recent legal interpretations and sentiment in California indicate that civil unions are not an acceptable compromise." [link]
Editorial
May 29, 2009
"Hawaii legislators considered legalizing "civil unions" in this year's session, but recent legal interpretations and sentiment in California indicate that civil unions are not an acceptable compromise." [link]
‘Civil unions’ don’t go far enough
Posted on May 29, 2009 at 10:43 am
Star Bulletin
May 29, 2009
The California Supreme Court's upholding of last year's ballot measure banning marriage equality has sparked what appears to be a resolve to reverse the law, as early as in next year's election. Hawaii legislators considered legalizing "civil unions" in this year's session, but recent legal interpretations and sentiment in California indicate that civil unions are not an acceptable compromise. (Link)
May 29, 2009
The California Supreme Court's upholding of last year's ballot measure banning marriage equality has sparked what appears to be a resolve to reverse the law, as early as in next year's election. Hawaii legislators considered legalizing "civil unions" in this year's session, but recent legal interpretations and sentiment in California indicate that civil unions are not an acceptable compromise. (Link)
Hawaii Senate fails to bring vote on civil unions
Posted on Mar 26, 2009 at 02:43 pm
Associated Press
March 26, 2009
The Hawaii state Senate decided against using a legislative maneuver to bring a civil unions bill that deadlocked in the Senate Judiciary Committee before the full Senate for a vote. The ruling essentially stalled the measure for the session, despite a majority of the Senate indicating support for the bill. [Link]
Coming Home
Posted on Mar 05, 2009 at 04:29 pm
Honolulu Weekly
March 4, 2009
For Kathleen Sands, the state Senate Judiciary committee hearing on House Bill 444, with its circus atmosphere, crystallizes the issue facing lesbians and gays in Hawaii, and perhaps the rest of us as well. "The political question for gay people is not whether we can be gay in the privacy of our own DNA. It's whether we can lead public lives of dignity as families and as couples."[Link]
March 4, 2009
For Kathleen Sands, the state Senate Judiciary committee hearing on House Bill 444, with its circus atmosphere, crystallizes the issue facing lesbians and gays in Hawaii, and perhaps the rest of us as well. "The political question for gay people is not whether we can be gay in the privacy of our own DNA. It's whether we can lead public lives of dignity as families and as couples."[Link]
State House approves civil unions in Hawaii
Posted on Feb 17, 2009 at 10:24 am
Honolulu Star-Bullentin
February 13, 2009
A measure that would make civil unions for gay couples almost legally equivalent to marriages of straight couples was approved by the Hawaii state House and now goes to the Senate for consideration. [Link]
Ex-judge proud of stance on gays
Posted on Feb 17, 2009 at 09:24 am
Honolulu Star-Bullentin
February 16, 2009
Retired Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Steven Levinson says he was heartbroken when Hawaii voters negated his 1993 decision in favor of same-sex couples' marriages. [Link]
Hawaii civil-union bill advances
Posted on Feb 06, 2009 at 04:26 pm
Star Bulletin
February 6, 2009
Hawaii lawmakers have moved forward a bill supporting civil unions for same-sex couples. A packed room of people wearing gold stickers with the word "Equality" on them erupted in loud cheers and hugs as the House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the bill 12-0 last night. The measure advances to a vote before the full House next week, where a majority of representatives - 32 out of 51 - have already said they support the civil-union measure. If it passes, the bill would then move on for consideration by the state Senate. (Link)
February 6, 2009
Hawaii lawmakers have moved forward a bill supporting civil unions for same-sex couples. A packed room of people wearing gold stickers with the word "Equality" on them erupted in loud cheers and hugs as the House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the bill 12-0 last night. The measure advances to a vote before the full House next week, where a majority of representatives - 32 out of 51 - have already said they support the civil-union measure. If it passes, the bill would then move on for consideration by the state Senate. (Link)
Hawaii civil unions backed by a majority in state House
Posted on Jan 26, 2009 at 10:07 am
Honolulu Advertiser
January 24, 2009
32 of 51 House members sign on to measure that would legalize partnerships for gay and lesbian couples. The state would also recognize civil unions, domestic partnerships or same-sex marriages validly performed in other states. [Link]
January 24, 2009
32 of 51 House members sign on to measure that would legalize partnerships for gay and lesbian couples. The state would also recognize civil unions, domestic partnerships or same-sex marriages validly performed in other states. [Link]