[Editor's Note: these appear to have crossed in the e-mail.]


From: HawaiiGay1@aol.com
Date: Mon, 10 Mar 1997 22:09:48 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: *M*: ***CENTRALIZED Marriage Bill Information (weekly)***

In a message dated 97-03-10 19:53:47 EST, FORMNATL@aol.com writes:

<< The Attorney General has ruled that the November 5th referendum for the
 constitutional convention did pass.  This decision is being challenged
before
 the Hawaii Supreme Court; a "supermajority" may have been required to call a
 convention; only a bare majority voted "yes."   >>


This section does not seem to every get corrected.  It is not a supermajority
that is required to decide a constitutional amendment.  Just a simple
majority.  Legal issue before the Hawaii Supreme Court is how the blank votes
are to be counted.  Language on how they are to be counted is not as clear as
it is for an amendment which counts blank votes as negative, thus the yes
votes must exceed the blanks plus no votes.  Not clear on votes for
constitutional convention.  Decision expected any day now.

Bill

Hawaii Gay Marriage Project


From: FORMNATL@aol.com
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 20:53:00 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Re: *M*: ***CENTRALIZED Marriage Bill Information (weekly)***

Dear Bill:

     Good to hear from you again.

     Thanks for your comments about our posting re: the possible Hawaii
constitutionaol amendment.  As the originator of the Baehr case, we of course
take your comments especially seriously.  

     Essentially, you object to the word "supermajority" to describe the
number of votes needed to call the constitutional convention.  I believe this
is a correct use of the word, but in any case, we're trying to avoid the
confusion that surrounded our earlier, more extensive explanation of this
issue.  The conclusion we had to draw was that trying to explain this
absolutely accurately just made it even harder for people to understand.  So,
we're perhaps sacrificing a little accuracy for the sake of brevity.  In
short, we've tried it both ways, and this way just seems to work better.  

     Thanks again for your leadership.  

     Sincerely, 

Jeffrey Nickel, President
The Forum on the Right to Marriage (FORM)
Box 8033 JFK Station
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 868-FORM
FORMNATL@aol.com
HTTP://www.calico-company.com/formboston
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Materials available:
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General Quotations
Hawaii Primer 
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Law Review Summary
Legal History 
Legal Summary
Marriage Primer     
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*available soon


##############################
FORM is a national grassroots organization primarily
engaged in education and outreach concerning the issue of
same-sex marriage.

FORM provides resources and training to similar locally
based groups throughout country.

FORM exists as well to facilitate and support the efforts 
of individuals, whether legal or legislative, that advance
the cause of same-sex marriage in the United States.

When feasible, FORM will work in concert with gay and
lesbian political groups to optimize organized efforts to
attain same-sex marriage rights.
##########################################
--------(Please print out, cut here, and mailback)-----------

Please help us to begin building the framework for legalizing same-sex
marriage. 

_ Yes, I want to be a member of FORM.  Please
enter my membership at the following level:

    _ Individual ($20.)
    _ Household ($30.) 
    _ Student/Low-income ($10.)

    _ I want to make an additional contribution in the amount of:

       $ _____  
   
 (Please make checks payable to: Forum on the Right to Marriage (FORM), Inc.)
    

 _ Add me to your mailing list:     
 __________________________________
 __________________________________
 __________________________________

 _ I'm interested in becoming a FORM organizer/starting a chapter in my area.

We hope that you will become involved in FORM.  But the most important thing,
in whatever aspect of gay rights we may be involved in, is that we as gay
people share with those around us the truth of our lives.  FORM's activities
can serve only as an adjunct to individual gay men, women, and young people
willing to reach out and change the hearts and minds of the American people.
Thanks for your interest and your continued assistance in helping to make
marriage a reality for the gay community.  

Please mail to:

The Forum on the Right to Marriage (FORM)
Box 8033 JFK Station
Boston, MA 02114