Hawaii bans some
discrimination based on sexual orientation

A new law prohibits Hawaii's landlords from discriminating against gay men, lesbians, or transsexuals. Gov. Linda Lingle signed the measure into law Monday. The measure amends existing law to include sexual orientation and gender identity among the criteria that can't be used as the basis for denying housing. The amendments exempt housing owned and operated by religious institutions for church purposes or for church-run higher education housing programs. Another bill passed by lawmakers that would have included gender identity as a protected category in a law banning discrimination in the workplace was vetoed by the governor. In her veto message the governor said the language of the measure was not clear enough in defining gender identity. (AP)