Hawaii Lawmakers Mull Civil Unions Bill

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HONOLULU -- Trying to avoid a heated battle over gay marriage, Hawaii lawmakers are considering a renewed push to grant same-sex couples similar benefits through civil unions.

Democratic legislators, who hold overwhelming majorities in both the state House and Senate, are supporting a proposed civil union bill as one of the party's top priorities for this year's legislative session. If it passes, Hawaii would become only the fifth state to recognize either civil unions or gay marriage.

"Committed couples, regardless of their sexual preference or orientation, should have the same rights. That's the bottom line -- we should treat people equally," said Gary Hooser, the state senate majority leader. "There's broad support among Democratic party members."

He said if approved, the civil unions law would grant same-sex couples the same rights and benefits as married couples. Hawaii already gives some rights -- in areas of insurance, property, pension and hospital visitation -- to same-sex partners through its reciprocal benefits law.

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Link: http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/sns-ap-civil-unions,0,7653339.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines