Legislation to establish civil unions in Hawai`i is in limbo.
As I reported on Feb. 21, the legislation passed the State House of Representatives and was then referred by the State Senate to its Judiciary and Government Operations Committee:
Hawai`i civil unions may be decided on Tuesday - let your voice be heard! updated 2X
Although the committee is evenly divided, the full Senate can pull the bill to the floor for a vote, as I mentioned on March 1:
Action needed to pass civil unions in Hawai`i
Although Democrats control the Senate by a 23-2 margin, a leading political journalist in Honolulu reported today that the majority is having second thoughts about bringing the bill up for a vote:
Sources say Senate Democrats are wavering on pulling civil unions bill from Senate JGO.
We're nearing the end of the legislative session, and help is needed now. Please follow me below for some suggestions on how you can help, whether you're a Hawai`i resident or not.
On Sunday, attorney Lois Perrin of the ACLU of Hawai`i made the case that "it makes sense for the state Legislature to consider a civil unions bill that would give same-sex couples all the legal protections that the state provides married couples" and that gay couples have the same dreams, hopes, and worries as everyone else:
Take Jeff Brown, a retired U.S. Army captain, and his partner of 20 years, Randy Fressle, an artist. In July 2002, they moved to Maui from California, so that Jeff could take a job with The Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i. After the couple registered as reciprocal beneficiaries with the state, Jeff thought that his partner would be entitled to health insurance and other employee benefits provided to married employees.
But RCUH refused. After fighting for three years, RCUH provided the coverage. But unlike married employees, he is required to pay for the additional costs of the insurance — more than $300 per month.
If Jeff decides to retire, his partner will no longer be eligible, yet married employees can continue to insure their spouses. So while Jeff has spent his entire life serving his country and Hawai'i, he still does not have access to many of the legal protections that married couples take for granted.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/...
If you agree, please consider helping the Family Equality Coalition in its leading efforts to enact civil unions in Hawai`i.
There are a few quick and easy (but vitally important) ways to support the cause at this critical time:
* Register with Family Equality Coalition and use its online form to write to state officials (this is particularly relevant for Hawai`i residents):
http://familyequalitycoalition.org
* Make a monetary contribution (of urgent need and appropriate for any U.S. residents):
https://secure.ga4.org/...
* Write to all 25 Hawai`i State Senators by sending an e-mail in your own words to:
sens@Capitol.hawaii.gov
Thanks for helping to advance equality in the Aloha State!