"A lawsuit filed last year on behalf of six gay couples alleging the state failed to provide equal rights to gays and lesbians short of marriage has been withdrawn, attorneys said yesterday.
Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i (ACLU) and Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing (AHFI) today announced they have dismissed their lawsuit against the state, following Governor Neil Abercrombie's signing civil unions into law last month. The Hawai`i Senate gave final approval to the bill, SB232, which allows same- and different-sex unmarried couples to enter into civil unions, with an 18-5 vote on February 16, following the 31-19 approving vote by the House on February 11, 2011. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2012.
Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i (ACLU) applaud Hawai`i Governor Neil Abercrombie's signing of SB232, which establishes civil unions for same-sex and different-sex couples in Hawai`i. The Hawai`i Senate approved the bill in an 18-5 vote on February 16. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2012.
8/30/2010
"The Hawaii lawsuit focuses not on gay marriage but on legalizing civil unions, which give same-sex partners the same rights and responsibilities as marriage. The Hawaiian Constitution bans same-sex marriage.
"Still, the Hawaii, lawsuit makes many of the same arguments outlined in the California suit that challenged Prop. 8.
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.
Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaii Foundation today filed suit against the State of Hawai`i three weeks after Governor Linda Lingle's veto of House Bill 444, a bill that would have allowed unmarried couples to enter into civil unions with comprehensive state law rights and responsibilities. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of six same-sex couples, five from O`ahu and one from Hawai`i Island.
