HONOLULU -- For Donna Gedge and Monica Montgomery, the path to becoming a legally recognized lesbian couple took 33 years. One hour after midnight Hawaiian time in the New Year, their dream became a reality as they and another couple became the first same-sex couples to enter into civil unions in Hawaii under a new law that took effect with the New Year.

HONOLULU -- In a private ceremony set for just after midnight on Sunday, January 1, four same sex couples will enter into civil unions as the state's new civil unions law takes effect.

HONOLULU -- Lambda Legal on Monday filed a discrimination lawsuit in the First Circuit Court of Hawaii on behalf of a lesbian couple rejected by a commercial business establishment, the Aloha Bed & Breakfast, because of the owner’s personal anti-gay beliefs.

A lesbian couple is suing the state of Hawaii in federal court over the state’s denial of same-sex marriage, claiming that the state’s refusal to issue them a marriage license violates their due process and equal protection rights guaranteed them by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

According to a new poll, 49 percent of Hawaii voters say they want to see same-sex marriage legalized in the Aloha state.

HONOLULU -- Former Republican Governor Linda Lingle on Tuesday announced that she will be a candidate for the U.S. Senate Seat currently held by retiring Democrat, Daniel Akaka.

Hawaii's Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Thursday signed into law House Bill 546, a bill that prohibits workplace discrimination against transgender people.

The Hawaii state House of Representatives on Monday approved legislation that would prohibit workplace discrimination against transgender people.

The Hawaii state Senate on Tuesday voted to extend employment protections to transgender people.

HONOLULU -- Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed same-sex civil unions into law Wednesday, granting same-sex and heterosexual couples the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as marriage under state law.

The Hawaii state Senate on Wednesday voted to approve civil unions for same-sex couples. The bill now goes to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who supports civil unions and has promised to sign the bill into law.

HONOLULU -- The Hawaii House of Representatives on Friday voted to approve civil unions for same-sex couples, moving the proposal back to the state Senate for final consideration.

HONOLULU -- Hawaii moved another step closer to granting civil unions for same-sex couples. A bill was approved in the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday evening by a vote of 11-2, and now moves to the full House for debate and a vote.

Two New Hampshire legislators have introduced bills to repeal the state’s marriage equality law, even though Republican leaders said that such a repeal is not a party priority in 2011. And several other states saw legislative moves toward or away from equality in the past week.

The Hawaii State Senate on Friday passed a civil unions bill that would grant same-sex and heterosexual partners essentially the same protections, rights and benefits currently extended to married couples.