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.
Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i (ACLU) reacted today with deep disappointment following Hawai`i Governor Linda Lingle's veto of HB 444, which would have allowed gay and straight Hawai`i couples to take legal responsibility for each other by entering civil unions. Having received strong majority votes by both houses of the Hawai`i Legislature, the bill was given final approval on April 29, the last day of the session. Lingle had until July 6 to take action on the bill.
(Honolulu, June 21, 2010) — Today, in a notification letter to the Legislature, Governor Linda Lingle included HB 444 in a list of bills she may veto. This notification has prompted a renewed call from civil unions supporters for her to allow the bill to become law.
(Honolulu, February 1, 2010) — Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i Foundation (ACLU) today announced they are planning legal action against the state of Hawai'i following last Friday's failure by the Hawai'i Legislature to enact a law providing broad legal rights and duties to the state's lesbian and gay couples.
