HONOLULU — Bills aimed at both legalizing and prohibiting same-sex marriage in Hawaii were introduced Thursday in the state legislature.
Rep. John Mizuno (D-Kalihi) introduced two bills regarding marriage — both propose constitutional amendments, but while one bill legalizes same-sex marriage, the other limits marriage to heterosexual couples.
Mizuno said that he personally supports “traditional” marriage but wants voters to make the decision.
“I’m not afraid to let the people decide,” he said.
A second bill to legalize same-sex marriage was also introduced in the House on Thursday. Rep. Faye Hanohano (D-Puna) is that bill’s sole sponsor.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of 15 Hawaii representatives is advocating for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
State Sen. Mike Gabbard, a Democrat, is proposing a bill in the Senate that would put the issue to voters, and if passed, the amendment would be placed on the ballot during the November 2014 election.
Gabbard is a former Republican who campaigned against promoting homosexuality in the 1990s. He pushed for a constitutional amendment giving the state Legislature the power to limit marriage to a man and a woman. The amendment passed in 1998.Gabbard said that a ballot initiative would be the most democratic way to resolve the issue.
Filed under: Hawaii
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They have a rainbow on their licence plates. Pretty clear what bill is going to pass.
How did the haters end up in paradise?
Damn, that’s going to happen after I PCS. But still, great news!
The state is filled with nothing but natives, and they’re all catholic, plus, nothing but rich white people, I don’t see hawaii passing gay marriage. I wish they would, but I don’t see it.
WAIT! Am confused. It may just be the words and their play with my mind, but it appears this is about a bill, yet to pass, that outlaws same-sex marriages. Hope I am misunderstanding. Still, retracted my Like due to such a tart taste.
If the bill that’s against the same sex marriage happens i guess i can move my future honeymoon to France instead.
like/dislike!
Gotta be two separate bills. One attempting to pass same sex marriage, the other to ban it.
Yay! At least it was introduced.
Pass it, Hawaii!!!
JOIN US IN THE 21stCENTURY, DAMN IT!!! I’m Canadian)
This guy proposing both bills though is like another person who don’t know what is right for the people. It is already for heterosexuals. WTF!!!
Do the right thing, Hawaii!
Come on, Hawaii! We’re counting on you! You can do it!
Pray for equality HI.
Well that’s just stupid for a state which is so dependent on tourism. Do they really want to alienate a major part of their business? (Never mind what’s right and wrong. We all know it is wrong to deny us our civil liberties).
=)