Gay Students Sue
for Family Housing

A gay couple is suing the University of Hawaii for not allowing them to live in student family housing after living there the previous year, they announced Monday. The university told Joseph O'Leary and Phi Ngo that it could not provide housing because the state does not recognize same-sex marriage, according to the Associated Press.

The couple argue that the cost of living off-campus is higher than on-campus living expenses, such as rent, food, and transportation.

Gay rights activist group Lambda Legal has taken their case, noting that the school allows benefits for professors in same-sex relationships.

"The university had no problem with Joe and Phi living in family housing last year," Brian Chase, senior attorney for Lambda Legal, said in the article. "It makes no sense for the university to suddenly decide to discriminate against them just because they are gay."

Lambda Legal also said that the Hawaii supreme court ruled that denial of benefits for same-sex couples is discrimination, violating the state constitution. (The Advocate)