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Hawaii Lawsuit Seeks Equal Rights for Gay Couples
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The New York Times
7/29/2010
"Six gay couples in Hawaii are filing a lawsuit Thursday asking for the same rights as married couples, three weeks after Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a same-sex civil unions measure.
"...The state grants some rights to gay couples through its reciprocal beneficiaries system.
"But they lack the same legal priviledges and obligations of adoption, child support, alimony and access to family court, said Jennifer Pizer, senior counsel for Lambda Legal, which is bringing the case along with the American Civil Liberties Union.
"'This case is not about marriage. It's about the right of same-sex couples to at least have a system that is understandable and complete,' Pizer said. 'The state's equality guarantee at least has to mean same-sex couples should have the same rights and responsibilities, even if it's segmented off into a system that isn't as respected, understood and revered as marriage.'"