Same-Sex Couple Sues University Over Housing

For one year Phi Ngo and Joseph O'Leary lived together in family housing while Joseph worked toward a degree in history at the University of Hawaii (Manoa). But when the couple reapplied for family housing the following year, the university said no.

The school says its decision was based on a state law that restricts the term "marriage" to different-sex couples. It's a no-win situation: by denying family housing to unmarried same-sex couples in a state where they cannot legally marry, the university is discriminating against them. Lambda Legal is filing a lawsuit against the University of Hawaii on the couple's behalf.

Lambda Legal is no stranger to the fight for marriage equality in Hawaii. In 1993, we contributed to the first-ever ruling that said excluding same-sex couples from marriage was discrimination. But voters passed a constitutional amendment, allowing the Hawaii legislature to restrict the term "marriage" to different-sex couples. The state later passed the "Reciprocal Beneficiaries" law that gave same-sex couples some protections.

Phi and Joseph were forced to lease a more expensive apartment off campus. Joseph continues to be burdened with heavy commuting expenses and has lost his eligibility for a student meal plan, costing the couple an additional several thousand dollars per year.

Every year in March the university celebrates Diversity Week, an initiative designed to celebrate the importance of diversity and identity in higher education, the workplace and in the community.

University of Hawaii (Manoa) Facts

• Founded in 1907
• Total UHM student enrollment is 20,357
• UHM has over 200 student organizations
• UH is one of Hawaii's largest employers
• According to the university website, its law school was recognized by Princeton Review as "third in the nation for the Best Environment for Minority Students and fifth for the Most Diverse Faculty."