#civil unions hawaii

At 10:51 a.m. HST, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, Hawaiʻi became the 15th state to legally recognize same-sex marriage, as Governor Neil Abercrombie signed the bill into law before an invited crowd at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.

Same-sex marriage is expected to become legal in Hawaiʻi today during a 10 a.m. bill signing ceremony hosted by Governor Neil Abercrombie at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Liliʻu Theater.

Same-sex marriage in Hawaiʻi is one signature away from becoming law after passing in a final 19-4 vote by the Hawaiʻi Senate today.

Today’s vote comes following consistent advancement of the measure in both chambers and 57 hours of testimony from thousands of individuals during committee review in the state House.

State House lawmakers advanced a bill that would legalize same sex marriage in Hawaiʻi on third and final reading today in a 30-19 vote, with two members excused.

As state House lawmakers take up same-sex marriage legislation on the third and final reading, neighbor island residents will have the opportunity to tune in via live TV and online streaming.

The state House of Representatives voted 30-18 on Wednesday to advance an equality bill relating to same sex marriage in Hawaii. The bill was passed with amendments, and now heads to a third reading, and a possible final vote on Friday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.

The session is set to convene at 10 a.m., and comes following the passage of the bill in the House Committees on Judiciary and Finance on Tuesday.

After an unprecedented five days of public testimony, the state House committees on Judiciary and Finance advanced a bill with amendments, that if approved by the legislature and signed into law, would legalize same sex marriage in the state.

The House Committees on the Judiciary and Finance recessed shortly before 2 p.m. today (Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013) for decision making on Senate Bill 1, which if passed, would legalize same sex marriage in the state.

The Senate voted today 20 to 4 to pass a bill on third and final reading to legalize same-sex marriage in Hawaiʻi. All three Maui Senators voted in favor of the measure.

A bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in Hawaiʻi heads to the Senate for third and final reading at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013.

A bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in Hawaiʻi passed its first hurdle today, advancing out of committee. It is now headed to the full Senate for a vote, which could take place as early as Wednesday.

A special session of the Hawaiʻi Legislature begins today as state lawmakers consider legislation on marriage equity and a measure that if passed outlines a start date for gay marriage in the state.

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor will hold the hearing on Senate Bill 1, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 in the State Capitol Auditorium.

The purpose of the Act is to recognize marriages between individuals of the same sex in the state of Hawaii so that they can take full advantage of federal benefits and protections granted to married couples of the opposite-sex.

US Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaiʻi will join state leaders in the Honolulu Capitol Rotunda at 4 p.m. today for an event commemorating the occasion.

Hawaii’s US Senators are voicing their support for marriage equality as the US Supreme Court hears arguments to determine the constitutionality of Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage.

“Hawaii’s civil union law was a milestone for gay rights in the aloha state, but it should never be the finish line.”

Separate answers have been filed in response to a lawsuit that challenges Hawaii’s ban on same-sex marriage.