The six couples suing Gov. Lingle over her HB 444 veto argue that the state violated its own constitution by denying same-sex couples the rights and protections given to straight couples.
As promised, the supporters of HB 444 will challenge veto in court. The lawsuit is likely to revive the arguments of the landmark 1993 Hawaii case that determined denying marriage to gay and lesbian couples was discriminatory.
Hawaii in the 1970s was one of the most progressive states in the union — taking the lead on the Equal Rights Amendment, abortion rights and health care. These days it's looking a lot more like Utah — even though the Democrats are still in charge.
Coverage of civil unions veto and compromise on the Akaka Bill reveals what sets apart our approach to news. At Civil Beat, we focus on issues, not events. But when there are key developments, we'll be there for you.
On Thursday's Rick Hamada radio program, the governor argued that civil unions is not a civil right, saying, "First cousins couldn’t marry, or a brother and a sister ... So there are restrictions ... "
