Hawaii state Senate passes gay marriage bill, sending special session measure to House

[The Straight Story]

HONOLULU — The Hawaii state Senate passed a bill Wednesday legalizing gay marriage, sending the measure to the House.

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

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

The Senate passed the bill 20-4 but the bill is expected to face a more difficult path in the House, even though both chambers are dominated by Democrats.


http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9d588e729fcb4efd971c98419a19bbff/HI-XGR--Gay-Marriage-Hawaii

[chillfactor]

1. I m very happy to hear that.....

but from what I understand it faces almost certain defeat in the House

[Sissyk]

2. This is great to hear.

Let's hope for luck in the House.

[petronius]

3. Good job by the HI Senate; I hope it passes

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

Is that the reason why it might not pass the House, they want to protect the 'right' of private businesses to discriminate? (To not provide services to gay marriage ceremonies? Venues? Flowers? Etc?) Screw that - it may already be legal (I don't know) to refuse service based on that bigotry, but it sure doesn't deserve legal protection...