Hawaii Kills Civil Unions Bill

The Hawaii house of representatives on Friday decided to delay a vote on a civil unions bill that had passed the state senate last week, effectively killing the bill, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The proposal, which would have granted same-sex couples in the state all the rights of marriage -- except marriage itself -- can't be reconsidered this session unless two thirds of the representatives vote to bring it back to the floor.

Supporters of the civil unions bill called for the house members to take a roll call vote, which would have put their position on the issue on record, but the members instead shouted "aye" or "no" before the vice speaker of the house ruled that the motion to delay the vote had passed.

The announcement caused civil rights supporters to yell "Shame on you!" while opponents of the proposal cheered.

"It's an election year and they're more concerned about keeping their seats than doing what's right," said Stephen Nagle, who was wearing a rainbow lei to show his support for civil unions.