Same-Sex Marriage Update

[blackboot]

Hawaii Senate passes same-sex marriage bill

Bill now goes to the House; committee hearing scheduled for Thursday


HONOLULU —The Hawaii Senate voted Wednesday in a 20-4 vote to approve the bill to legalize same-sex marriage.

Democratic Sen. Clayton Hee said before voting for the bill that the moment is career-defining and lawmakers should embrace it.

Hee says Hawaii should expand its definition of aloha to truly include everyone regardless of sexual orientation.

The House plans to refer the bill later Wednesday to a joint committee hearing on Thursday. The hearing is likely to be jammed with public testimony, with the possibility of being extended to a second day.

The bill's prospects are far less certain in the House, though lawmakers and Gov. Neil Abercrombie have said they believe the measure has enough support to pass.

House Majority Leader Scott Saiki says it's likely the chamber will amend the bill to change religious exemptions. The Senate bill currently exempts ministers and other clergy from having to perform gay wedding ceremonies, but not for-profit businesses.

-KITV News

[iamkeri1]

An Amazing confluence of newly attained rights. Same sex marriage becomes legal in New York, and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" becomes illegal, so these young West Point Grads get married in the West Point Chapel.
I am amazed yet again at the progress that has been made in my lifetime. AMAZED.
Smooches,
Keri

West Point hosts first wedding between 2 men

AP Photo: Jill Knight
West Point graduates Larry, left, and Daniel Lennox-Choate, leave church following their wedding ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the US Military Academy's Cadet Chapel in West Point, N.Y.


Larry Choate III married Daniel Lennox Saturday afternoon at the U.S. Military Academy's Cadet Chapel. It was the first wedding of two men at West Point.
WEST POINT, N.Y. — Two West Point graduates were married Saturday in the military academy's first wedding between two men.
Larry Choate III, class of 2009, married Daniel Lennox, class of 2007, before about 20 guests.
Choate, 27, taught Sunday school at the U.S. Military Academy's Cadet Chapel and said he always thought of it as the place he would get married if he could.
West Point hosted two same-sex weddings of women in late 2012, more than a year after New York state legalized gay marriage. But Saturday's wedding was the first time two men wed at West Point.
"It's maybe one more barrier that's pushed over a little bit, or maybe one more glass ceiling that's shattered that makes it easier for the next couple," Choate said Friday.
Choate and Lennox are out of the military and wore tuxedoes for the ceremony. Some of their guests were in uniform.
The 28-year-old Lennox is getting his master's degree in business administration at Harvard University. Choate is applying to Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
The pair did not know each other as cadets but met later through a friend.
Chaplain Cynthia Lindenmeyer officiated at the ceremony

[MsTinkerbelly]

Today the Illinois House passed their marriage equality bill!!

The bill is on the way to the Governor who said if it passed he would sign it.

Congratulations Illinois!

15 states and D.C....one at a time.

[TruTexan]

Today it was on the news that Texas court has DENIED same sex couples that were legally married in other states to become divorced in this state; saying that if they recognized their marriages from other states that it would interfere with the State Law in Texas that is against same sex marriage.... can't even get divorced in this state if you are same sex married couple living here from another state where your marriage is legal.
I don't know what it will take for my home state of Texas to just go ahead and do what the right thing is for us queer folk and let us have the choice of getting legally married or not like other states have done in the rest of these United States...........which I see as Divided States.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by TruTexan

Today it was on the news that Texas court has DENIED same sex couples that were legally married in other states to become divorced in this state; saying that if they recognized their marriages from other states that it would interfere with the State Law in Texas that is against same sex marriage.... can't even get divorced in this state if you are same sex married couple living here from another state where your marriage is legal.
I don't know what it will take for my home state of Texas to just go ahead and do what the right thing is for us queer folk and let us have the choice of getting legally married or not like other states have done in the rest of these United States...........which I see as Divided States.

My guess (from past history) is that States like Texas will have marriage equality when pigs fly, or when the Feds make them.

[TruTexan]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

My guess (from past history) is that States like Texas will have marriage equality when pigs fly, or when the Feds make them.

Or when Hell freezes over. Yes, I would have to agree completely with you on this one.

[SimpleAlaskanBoy]

Would really like to see Ohio be #16.

~SAB

[blackboot]

Marriage Equality in Hawaii Clears Another Hurdle; On to the Full House!November 5, 2013 by Adrian Matanza, Senior Regional Field Organizer HRC Blog

Just moments ago, after over 54 hours of testimony, the Hawaii House Committees on Judiciary and Finance amended and passed SB1, the marriage equality bill; 10 to 7 in Finance and 8 to 5 in Judiciary.

With over 5100 testifiers in support and opposition of the bill, SB1 was amended to include language that would provide protections to religious institutions. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration. While this is a huge hurdle in the passage of marriage equality in the Aloha State, the bill must pass the full House, then head back to the Senate, for the chamber to agree to the House’s amendments.

[MsTinkerbelly]

The House voted the second time yesterday and passed the marriage equality bill, but there is one more "reading" and vote tomorrow before the bill is sent back to the Senate for final voting.

One step closer....

An interesting side note is that one of Hawaii's openly Lesbian representatives voted no on the bill yesterday, saying that she is not sure it is what the people "really" want.

WTF?

[Nadeest]

Originally Posted by TruTexan

Today it was on the news that Texas court has DENIED same sex couples that were legally married in other states to become divorced in this state; saying that if they recognized their marriages from other states that it would interfere with the State Law in Texas that is against same sex marriage.... can't even get divorced in this state if you are same sex married couple living here from another state where your marriage is legal.
I don't know what it will take for my home state of Texas to just go ahead and do what the right thing is for us queer folk and let us have the choice of getting legally married or not like other states have done in the rest of these United States...........which I see as Divided States.

What it is going to take is for Section 3 of DOMA to be repealed. This, if I am not mistaken, is the section that says that states do not have to recognize perfectly valid same sex marriages, that are made in other states.

In my opinion, we did good in getting the Supreme Court to declare that one section of DOMA unconstitutional. The job isn't over with, though, until the whole law is found to be unconstitutional. This is going to take another lawsuit or three, I'm afraid.

[iamkeri1]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

An interesting side note is that one of Hawaii's openly Lesbian representatives voted no on the bill yesterday, saying that she is not sure it is what the people "really" want.

WTF?

I move that we "primary" her!
Smooches,
Keri

[iamkeri1]

The statistics on this video are a little outdated (yes!!!) , but when I found it on youtube, I couldn't resist posting it here.
Smooches,
Keri

[MsTinkerbelly]

Governor Pat Quinn will sign the bill on November 20 in a signing ceramony in Chicago. Marriage is scheduled to begin june 1st.

Why they have to wait so long wasn't mentioned, but each state has different effective dates for laws to go into effect.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

The House voted the second time yesterday and passed the marriage equality bill, but there is one more "reading" and vote tomorrow before the bill is sent back to the Senate for final voting.

One step closer....

An interesting side note is that one of Hawaii's openly Lesbian representatives voted no on the bill yesterday, saying that she is not sure it is what the people "really" want.

WTF?

The house is currently reading their opposition to the 19 (so far) amendments they made to the bill, and then there will be a final vote. I was watching the live stream from one of the Hawaiian news stations...the opposition is doing everything they can to derail the bill.

I'll be out later, i hope blackboot comes in to post the final vote.

[blackboot]

Number 16! We did it in Hawaii!!!

Hawaii House lawmakers pass same-sex marriage bill


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

The Hawaii House of Representatives passed a third reading of an amended version of SB 1, the "Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013" late Friday night.

The vote was 30 in favor and 19 against, with two representatives excused. the vote came after more than 20 floor amendments to the bill were attempted. Representatives also were allowed ten minutes to make final remarks, if they wished, before the final vote, which finally occurred shortly after 10 p.m.

Supporters of the bill screamed loudly in celebration when Speaker Joe Souki officially announced that the bill was approved. On the other side of the rotunda, opponents of the measure were silent for several minutes. Some also yelled in frustration that the bill had been approved.

SB 1, House Draft 1 expands the bill's original religious exemptions to protect clergy from refusing to perform wedding ceremonies and religious institutions from being compelled to allow wedding celebrations or provide wedding goods or services to a same-sex couple.

The bill now moves over to the Senate, where it is expected to be taken up Tuesday, November 12 (following the Veterans Day holiday). If the Senate approves the bill and Gov. Neil Abercrombie signs it, will go into effect December 2, 2013.

[iamkeri1]

Fabulous!!!!

So who is next after Hawaii?
more
more
more!!!

Smooches,
Keri

[blackboot]

Hawaii Senate passes same-sex marriage bill
Bill now goes to Gov. Abercrombie to sign -KITV News

HONOLULU —The Hawaii Senate passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage on Tuesday before sending the special session to Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
The bill allowing same-sex couples to wed starting Dec. 2 passed in a 19-4 vote with two lawmakers excused.

Senators took up the bill a second time because of changes made in the House, where the bill was amended and passed after a five-day public hearing and two lengthy floor sessions.

An estimate from a University of Hawaii researcher says the law will boost tourism by $217 million over the next three years.


Senate made two decisions Tuesday. First, senators decided to accept the amended bill from the House. After that, the final vote was taken.

Abercrombie has indicated he would sign the bill as currently written.

"In Hawaii, we believe in fairness, justice and human equality. We embrace the Aloha spirit and respect one another. Today, we celebrate our diversity defining us rather than dividing us,"said Abercrombie. "I believe this bill provides equal rights for all people, is legally sound, and is in accord with the Hawaii State Constitution. I look forward to signing this significant piece of legislation, which provides marriage equity and fully recognizes and protects religious freedoms."


President Barack Obama praised the bill's passage, saying the affirmation of freedom and equality makes the country stronger. He says the vote makes him "even prouder" to have been born in Hawaii.


Maui Democratic Sen. J. Kalani English said the bill is an "expansion of aloha in Hawaii."


Sen. Sam Slom, the chamber's only Republican, said the government should stay out of legislating marriage.


The Hawaii Republican Party released the following statement:

"The Hawaii Republican Party appreciates that so many people, on both sides of this issue, passionately participated in the hearing process on this bill. However, what Hawaii witnessed during this special session was unprecedented -- a democrat super majority side-stepped important issues like lowering the high cost of living for working class families or improving our keiki's education, and instead pushed through controversial legislation in just ten days. Governor Abercrombie and the Democrat political elite decided that Hawaii's people are unfit to vote on important issues. Citizens may have been denied the right to vote on this issue, but next November they will not be denied the opportunity to vote on who represents them."

[MsTinkerbelly]

I read where Governor Abercrombie might sign as early as tomorrow...that would make Hawaii number 15 before Illinois which won't be signing until 11/20, right?

In any event, it is wonderful that Hawaii (where this fight began 20 years ago in 1993) finally extends Aloha to all of it's residents.

WTG Hawaii!

[iamkeri1]

At our church we have a karaoke night once a month. Last Friday, two beloved friends of ours, together 35 years, returned from their honeymoon. They went to Massachusetts where they married on their thirty fifth wedding anniversary October 28. One of our gentlemen members sang the Hawaiian wedding song and dedicated it to them.

Hawaiian Wedding Song
(words & music by King - Hoffman - Manning)

This is the moment
I've waited for
I can hear my heart singing
Soon bells will be ringing

This is the moment
Of sweet Aloha
I will love you longer than forever
Promise me that you will leave me never

Here and now dear,
All my love,
I vow dear
Promise me that you will leave me never
I will love you longer than forever

U-a, si-la
Pa-a ia me o-e
Ko a-lo-ha ma-ka-mea e i-po
Ka-'u ia e le-i a-e ne-i la

Now that we are one
Clouds won't hide the sun
Blue skies of Hawaii smile
On this, our wedding day
I do love you with all my heart

Today we were cheering over the addition of Hawaii to the list of states allowing same sex marriage. We were laughing and teasing our newly wed friends that they could have married in warm Hawaii instead of cold Massachusetts if they had just waited a few days.

Another joyous day on which our human rights are advanced,

Yeah Hawaii!!
Smooches,
Keri

[blackboot]

Hawaii becomes 15th U.S. state to legalize gay marriage
By Treena Shapiro
updated 11/13/2013 7:35:45 PM ET

HONOLULU (Reuters) - Hawaii's governor signed into law on Wednesday a bill extending marriage rights to same-sex couples, capping 20 years of legal and political rancor in a state regarded as a pioneer in advancing the cause of gay matrimony.

The new law, which takes effect on December 2, makes Hawaii the 15th U.S. state to legalize nuptials for gay and lesbian couples, rolling back a 1994 statute defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

"In Hawaii, we are all minorities, and we all deserve the same aloha," state Representative Chris Lee, a leading proponent of the measure, said before Governor Neil Abercrombie signed the bill.

Abercrombie said that despite misgivings by opponents who felt their religious beliefs were infringed, the measure served the "greater good" by more fully embracing gay and lesbian members of society, who had long felt marginalized.

"Now all those who have been invisible will be visible to themselves and the world," the governor said before sitting down at a table inside an auditorium of the Honolulu Convention Center near the city's beachfront Waikiki area to sign the bill, as supporters erupted in cheers.

The measure gained final approval from the Democrat-controlled state legislature on Tuesday, 15 days after the start of a special session called by Abercrombie, a first-term Democrat and former congressman, to consider the bill.

About a week before Hawaii lawmakers approved same-sex marriage, Illinois' General Assembly gave final approval to a gay marriage bill, but Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is not expected to sign that measure until later this month.