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Hawaii Says Aloha To Gay Marriage, Governor Abercrombie Prepares To Sign Bill Into Law

hawaii equality marriage

Hawaii's state Senate has passed SB1, a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the Aloha State, by a measure of 19-4 with two absences. The bill already cleared the Hawaii House of Representatives but was brought back to the Senate because of  changes made in the House version.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who called for a special legislative session to get the bill voted on, has said he will sign it into law when it crosses his desk. "I look forward to signing this significant piece of legislation, which provides marriage equity and fully recognizes and protects religious freedoms," Abercrombie said.

Another Democratic executive also praised the bill's passage: "I've always been proud to have been born in Hawaii, and today's vote makes me even prouder," said President Barack Obama. "And Michelle and I extend our best wishes to all those in Hawaii whose families will now be given the security and respect they deserve."

Amendments in the House version of SB1 expanded religious exemptions and removed regulations on how many children of same-sex couples could qualify for Native Hawaiian benefits. Sen. Clayton Hee, who guided the bill, says the religious exemptions were too broad, but praised the bill as "landmark legislation, the weight of which is on the freedom to marry."

In essence, the modern push for marriage equality in American began in Hawaii: In 1990, a lesbian couple applied for a marriage license there. Paranoia and political maneuvering led to the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, which was only struck down this year by the Supreme Court.

Barring some angry god causing a volcanic eruption, marriage equality will be the law of the islands starting December 2.

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