Hawaii lawmakers
consider bill allowing gay couples civil union status

Trying to avoid a heated battle over same-sex marriage, Hawaii lawmakers are considering a renewed push to grant gay couples similar benefits through civil unions. Democratic legislators, who hold overwhelming majorities in both houses of the state legislature in Honolulu, are supporting a civil union bill as one of the party's top priorities for this year's legislative session. If it passes, Hawaii would become the fifth state to recognize either civil unions or same-sex 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 union law would grant same-sex couples the same rights and benefits as married couples. Hawaii already provides some rights in areas of insurance, property, pension, and hospital visitation to same-sex partners through its reciprocal benefits law.

Gov. Linda Lingle, a Republican, will not take a position on the bill until it is approved by the legislature, said Linda Smith, her senior policy adviser. "We'll give every bill a fair look if and when it comes to her desk," Smith said. Hawaii nearly legalized same-sex marriage more than a decade ago, before strong public opposition came from conservative family advocacy groups and religious groups. A decision by the Hawaii supreme court would have allowed same-sex marriages, but a 1998 constitutional amendment and a law defined marriage as between two people of the opposite sex. This year the civil union bill has not yet generated a similar public outcry. The Roman Catholic Church in Hawaii opposes the idea, said spokeswoman Kelly Rosati. A spokeswoman for the Mormon Church in Utah said she was not aware of any institutional involvement in Hawaii's civil union debate. Vermont and Connecticut already have civil union laws, and New Jersey's will take effect next month. Massachusetts is the only state to allow same-sex marriages. (Mark Niesse, AP)