Hawaii Governor Signs Same-Sex Marriage Bill Into Law

Before 200 invited guests in an invitation-only ceremony, Democratic Governor Neil Abercrombie just signed historic legislation extending marriage to same-sex couples in the state of Hawaii. “Done!,” the Governor said upon placing his signature on the bill.

Hawaii Senate Committee Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill

1800 people and organizations signed up to deliver testimony in person on Hawaii’s same-sex marriage bill yesterday. After more than twelve hours, the Hawaii Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor passed Senate Bill 1, by a 5-2 vote. Now, the full state Senate will vote on the legislation, where it is expected to pass also.

The Hawaii House has already scheduled hearings starting Thursday morning, and their same-sex marriage bill also looks likely to pass.

NOM Goes To Hawaii, Pretends To Be Hawaiian

As a special legislative session to debate marriage equality began today in Hawaii, NOM, the National Organization For Marriage, has invaded the Aloha State. Flooding the airwaves with anti-gay ads that make NOM sound like the frauds they are, NOM’s TV ad uses Hawaiian words like “keiki,” which means children, and “ohana,” which means family.

Last week, NOM president Brian Brown wrote that “from Hawaii comes an important reminder of something that we here at NOM have always maintained to be crucial for the fate of marriage in the United States. On this important issue, the people should decide!”

Brown calls their new video, titled, “Hawaii Our Local Culture,” “especially touching because it reflects the great cultural heritage and richness of Hawaii which some of us perhaps have experienced in visits to the beautiful state. And thus it reminds us, too, that marriage is a universal value that every heritage and every culture has treasured and honored throughout history.”

“The heritage of Hawai’i is rooted in family,” NOM’s video announcer says. “Mother and fathers united in marriage caring for each other, and their keiki.

Mormon Church stakes out new position in Hawaii same-sex marriage debate

Just weeks away from a a special session of the Hawaii legislature called by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to move forward on a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, the Mormon church is once again calling upon its membership to get involved.

But, according to Ruth Todd, spokeswoman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the difference in this post-Proposition 8 era is that that the emphasis will be focused not on telling members of the Church which side of the issue to take, but to study the Mormon church’s philosophy that endorses marriage as between one man and one woman.

In a letter dated Sept. 15 and read at LDS temples on Sunday, church leadership urged Mormons to “study this legislation prayerfully and then as private citizens contact your elected representatives in the Hawaii Legislature to express your views about the legislation.”

Whether Mormons favor or oppose the potential change, the letter said, they should push for “a strong exemption for people and organizations of faith” that would protect religious groups “from being required to support or perform same-sex marriages or from having to host same-sex marriages or celebrations in their facilities; and protect individuals and small businesses from being required to assist in promoting or celebrating same-sex marriages.”

If lawmakers pass a bill, Hawaii would join 13 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in legalizing same-sex marriage.

Banning Marriage Equality Is 'Just Discrimination'

The Roman Catholic bishop of Honolulu is rallying the faithful troops to oppose legislation that would make Hawaii the 15th U.S. jurisdiction (including D.C.) to embrace marriage equality, reports ThinkProgress.

Responding to Hawaiian governor Neil Abercrombie's statements last week that he was "very likely" to call a special session of the legislature to consider a marriage equality bill this fall, Bishop Larry Silva published an open letter on Thursday asking Hawaiian Catholics to speak out against the legislation in support of "just discrimination" against same-sex couples. 

HAWAII GOVERNOR NEIL ABERCROMBIE SAYS SPECIAL SESSION FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL 'VERY LIKELY'

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie told a group of Democratic leaders in the state that it's "very likely" he will call a special session this fall to try and pass marriage equality, the Washington Post reports:

“I think we can put together something that can achieve a solid majority, that will give us the opportunity to establish marriage equity in the state of Hawaii commensurate with the recent Supreme Court decisions, and will satisfy and resolve the issues that are presently before the appeals court on the mainland,” Abercrombie told a gathering of state Democrats.

Abercrombie’s chief of staff, Blake Oshiro, is working on language with the state attorney general’s office, the Star-Advertiser reported Monday. State Senate leadership says they have the votes to pass a same-sex marriage bill.

MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILLS INTRODUCED IN HAWAII

Marriage equality legislation was introduced in Hawaii's House and Senate this morning, HRC reports:

If successful, Hawaii would be the 10th state in the union to allow the marriage for all couples, regardless of whom they love.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Baehr v. Lewin, the Hawaii State Supreme Court opinion that sparked our nation's marriage equality movement. In the opinion, Justice Steven Levinson said, “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of the person's civil rights or be discriminated against in the exercise thereof because of race, religion, sex or ancestry.”

Best. Marines. Homecoming. Kiss. Ever.

Two Marines, Brandon Morgan and Dalan Wells share a passionate kiss as Morgan comes home after four tours of duty.

Brandon Morgan added this statement:

“To everyone who has responded in a positive way. My partner and I want to say thank you. Dalan, the giant in the photo, can’t believe how many shares and likes we have gotten on this. We didn’t do this to get famous,or something like that we did this cause after 3 deployments and four years knowing each other, we finally told each other how we felt. As for the haters, let em hate…to quote Kat Williams, everyone needs haters, so let them hate. We are the happiest we have ever been and as for the whole PDA and kissing slash hugging in uniform…it was a homecoming, if the Sergeants Major, Captains, Majors, and Colonels around us didn’t care…then why do you care what these random people have to say? In summation thank you for your love and support. I received a lot of friend requests off this. I don’t just accept requests so if your request was because of this post message me and let me know. Goodnight all, and Semper Fi.”



Two gay Marines, a couple for four years, struggling as all military couples do through various deployments to Afghanistan, shared a passionate and beautiful kiss that was captured in a photo that went viral over the past few days. Now the couple, Brandon Morgan and Dalan Wells, have given a short interview to their local news station which turns out is in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The couple talk about fighting for equal rights.

Gotta love the Marine Corps official statement: “It’s a typical homecoming photo.”

'Sent by the Gods'

'Sent by the Gods'



NovaLei was born and raised in Hawaii and knew what being queer was like back when Hawaii was still an independent country: "The LGBT person, in ancient times, was actually revered, and thought to be blessed and sent by the gods... There was a place for them in our society." NovaLei felt that he was gay his entire life, and he was very accepted and loved by his family. He was thought to be special. For those who were born and raised in traditional Hawaiian culture, these views are still strong.

Hawaii same-sex couples celebrate new year by exchanging vows

For Donna Gedge and Monica Montgomery, the path to becoming a legally recognized lesbian couple took 33 years. One hour after midnight Hawaiian time in the New Year, their dream became a reality as they and another couple became the first same-sex couples to enter into civil unions in Hawaii under a new law that took effect with the New Year.

Hawaii To Ban Trans Discrimination in the Workplace

On Monday, Hawaii’s Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill previously passed in the House that seeks to officially ban workplace discrimination based on gender identity.

While the state currently has laws on its books that ban discrimination against transgender individuals in the areas of housing and public accommodations, “the ban on employment discrimination has been establish by rulings of the Civil Rights Commission [but] has not been written into the state statute,” reports KITV.com.

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie Signs Same-Sex Civil Unions Into Law

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed same-sex civil unions into law Wednesday, calling it "a triumph for everyone" that gay and lesbian couples will have the same state rights as married partners.

Civil unions in the Rainbow State would start Jan. 1, 2012, making Hawaii the seventh state to permit civil unions or similar legal recognitions for gay couples. Five other states and the District of Columbia allow same-sex marriage.

"This bill represents equal rights for everyone in Hawaii, everyone who comes here. This is to me the essence of the aloha spirit," Abercrombie said at a signing ceremony. "With its signing, I want to say 'welcome' to the world, come to paradise."

A crowd of exuberant supporters yelled, cheered and applauded as the Democrat inscribed his signature on the legislation, making it the first law he's enacted since he was elected in November. The bill passed the state Legislature last week.

"We're contributing to society, and we deserve the same rights as everyone else. It's been a long, long time coming," said Van Law of Honolulu, who wore a rainbow lei and watched the bill's signing.

The new law follows nearly 20 years of court fights, protest rallies and passionate public debate in a state that has long been a gay rights battleground.

Just seven months ago, former Republican Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a similar bill because she said it was same-sex marriage by another name.

But civil unions have been heading toward passage since Abercrombie defeated two gubernatorial candidates who opposed them, and only one state legislator who supported them lost re-election.

Hawaii, already known as one of the nation's premier locations for destination weddings and honeymoons, could see an influx of gay and lesbian visitors hoping to have their partnerships solemnized on sandy, windswept beaches, according to tourism businesses.

Hawaii House to Decide Civil Unions

Hawaii's house of representatives will soon vote on a bill to legalize civil unions after the house judiciary committee approved the legislation with an 11-2 vote Tuesday. Read More >

Hawaii: Civil Unions Pass First Hurdle

Hawaii's senate judiciary committee has decided to advance a proposed civil unions bill to a full senate vote.

The committee approved the bill 3-2 Tuesday, according to KHON News.

Democratic lawmakers said they want to address the civil unions bill early in the term, to allow them time to concentrate on looming economic problems and creating jobs. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has said that he would sign the civil union bills if it reached his desk. The legislation is identical to the bill that then-governor Linda Lingle vetoed last July.

“I am vetoing this bill because I have become convinced that this issue is of such significant societal importance that it deserves to be decided directly by all the people of Hawaii,” she said in her veto message.

Lingle was ineligible to run for reelection due to term limits.

Hawaii positioned to pass same-sex civil unions

Hawaii voters opened the way for same-sex civil unions to become state law next year, with an election that gave victory to a pro-gay rights gubernatorial candidate and rejected many church-backed candidates.

The state House and Senate retained the Democratic majorities that approved a civil unions bill this year before it was vetoed, and Democratic Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie has said he will sign a similar law if passed by the Legislature.

The move would make Hawaii, long a battleground in the gay rights movement, the sixth state to grant essentially the same rights of marriage to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself.

“I’m hopeful, but I would never want to call any shots until the final vote is taken,” said Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, who is gay. “While I remain optimistic, there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Hawaii anti-gay Christian group handed tax bill

A Christian “charity” called the Hawaii Family Forum – which helped lead the fight against civil unions – now owes the government $20,741 in taxes for “excessive lobbying,” says the IRS

Says the Star-Advertiser:

The nonprofit group reported spending $125,695 on lobbying last year, a huge jump over the zero dollars it said it spent on lobbying in 2008. The change comes after at least two complaints were filed with the Internal Revenue Service about the forum’s extensive political activities.

“This tax form just confirms what we had suspected, and that is that they engaged in excessive lobbying, that they have no charitable programs, that they are 100 percent a lobbying organization,” said Holly Huber, who filed a complaint with the IRS in June on behalf of Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church. “They should not be a tax-exempt nonprofit charitable organization. They are a political action group.”

Hawaii - The Big Island

At one of the concerts for the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, I bought three tickets for the Hawaii raffle - and won. A week stay at a private house on the Big Island just south of Kona.

The house was perfect - private pool off the bedrooms, small lawn with a hammock between two palm trees, leading right to the bay. You can see more about the house at www.alaulakai.com. The first day we saw the whales passing right outside of Kealakekua Bay and the dolphins came and visited us a couple times.

The Captain Cook Monument was across the bay and we kayaked over for great snorkeling and jumping off the small cliffs into the water.


Here is a little view from the back yard and Jorge on the lava rocks leading down to the water.



The dinning table was outside - perfect view of the bay for breakfast and dinner.

Every night, we had a beautiful sunset. I think Jorge took about 500 pictures of the sunset every night.




While we did a bit of snorkeling, kayaking, shopping (Andy), and seeing the local sights, there was a lot of time to enjoy the beautiful views, eat and nap.

When Jorge wasn't on the phone or computer with Roger, this was one of his favorite things to do:

One day, we toured the local area.

Small coffee farms litter the area and we sampled coffee at every farm and co-op we could find. I am not a big fan of coffee, but the Peaberry and macadamia nut coffees were very good.

We also visited the Painted Church - Andy still has part of the steeple.

Little pineapple plants grew everywhere.

We visited the Place of Refuge, now part of the national park system - where if you broke one of the kapu you could go to be obsolved of your crime by the local priest.

If was also the private vacation area for the king.

We didn't get to see the lava tube here, because it was damage during the recent earthquake on the big island. But we did see many sea turtles and came the next morning to go snorkeling with them.

I swear, you can't take some people anywhere.





The turtles were so close to the edge of the shore. You can just make out the turtle in the water right in front of Jorge.

We took a day to go to the other side of the island to see the volcano - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The crater is huge, but the lava flows from a side fissure a couple miles from the crater.

Around the crater, there are sulfer and steam vents.

The yellow is crystallized sulfuric acid.

It was much cooler and windy around the crater, so the steam vents actually felt nice (warm).

I don't know why you aren't allowed to build rock piles -- of course, I was tempted.

Everywhere on the island where you saw lava flows - it was just black. You can see Andy next to a fracture in the lava flow.

Below is a picture of me just before we went into one of the lava tubes. Nick and I went down the "natural, non-lit" part of the tube. Andy and Jorge chickened out rather quickly.

The last night, we (Jorge was scared and didn't go) went snorkeling at night to see the manta rays. Kole, a female ray, showed up. She was 12-13 feet wide and about 2,000 pounds. The water was pitch black, except for flashlights held by divers and snorklers. Kole [not actual picture, but you get the idea] came out of nowhere, swimming right below us, to feed on the plankton that were attracted by the flashlights.

Amazing.