Date: Sat, 15 Mar 1997 12:22:51 -1000 From: KathyWUT@aol.com (by way of lambda@aloha.net (Martin Rice)) Subject: Latest on the Honolulu rally This is a copy of the latest publicity info on the Family Rights Weekend. Family Rights Weekend Honolulu Hawaii April 18 & 19 1997 Friday April 18: Lobby Day at the Hawaii Legislature Saturday April 19: Rally & Picnic at Ala Moana Park To lobby for equal rights for ALL families and for the legal recognition of same-gender relationships, To celebrate the successes of the movement for equal rights for gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender (GLBT) people, To build courage, strength and unity, To discuss our challenges, goals and dreams for the future, and To relax and get to know each other in a safe, non-threatening environment. And all of it in warm, beautiful Hawaii! On January 24th a large anti-gay* rally was held at the Hawaii State Capitol in Honolulu. The rally, called by the Catholic Bishop of Hawaii and organized by Hawai`i's Future Today, was attended by 3500-5000 people, mostly students, who were bused-in from private Catholic and Mormon schools, from Mormon church headquarters in Hawaii, and from the BYU Hawaii (Mormon University) campus. Many signs and slogans at the rally were hateful, and a large group of the protestors crossed six-lane Beretania Street to harrass and verbally attack 65 to 70 supporters of same-gender marriage who were counter-picketing there. To show support for gay and gay-friendly people in Hawaii, especially for the brave folks who dared to counter-picket on January 24th, a Family Rights Weekend is going to be held in Honolulu on April 18 and 19. Friday, April 18, will be a day of lobbying. Gay activists and their friends and families will be meeting with Hawaii lawmakers - and possibly the Governor - at the state capitol. On Saturday April 19, a rally for equal rights and in favor of legal recognition of same-gender relationships will be held at Ala Moana Park. The Family Rights Weekend will be an opportunity to counteract the efforts of Mormons, Catholics and others who are working to keep gay people from having full civil rights. Gay activists from around the country are getting announcements about the event, and gay-friendly clergy and community leaders are being invited to join us in a show of strength and solidarity. The weekend will give people in Hawaii a chance to get to know more about gay* people and about our fight for equal civil rights. Hopefully the mainstream Hawaiian media - maybe even the national media - will be interested in interviewing people who are very personally interested in the outcome of the Hawaii same-gender marriage case, especially Mormon and Catholic gay people and their families and friends. The Hawaii legislature will still be in session, so this will be a good chance for people from around the state and across the country to meet with legislators to discuss issues that are of importance to us. This is your opportunity to rally and work for equal rights in the warm, beautiful setting of Hawaii. What a wonderful excuse to take a tropical vacation! Join us in Honolulu on April 18 and 19 and celebrate with us how far we've come in the fight for equal rights. With us, gain strength, courage and a feeling of solidarity for the struggles ahead. *the word Gay is used inclusively: to mean homosexual, bisexual and transgendered people. EVENT SPONSORS (this list is growing) Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Oahu Gay and Lesbian Education and Advocacy Foundation (GLEA Foundation), Hawaii Hawaii Gay Marriage Project Gay Lesbian Community Center Honolulu (GLCC) Lambda Rising Bookstores (AOL Keyword GAY BOOKS) The Pillar of the Gay and Lesbian Community, a monthly publication, Salt Lake City New Phazes Newsletter-Colorado Springs ONLY Lesbian Newsletter Contact: Committee Co-Chairs Carolyn Martinez Golojuch of GLYS & PFLAG Oahu (GO CAROLYN@aol.com) Kathy Worthington, Salt Lake City, of "Kathy's List" (KathyWUT@aol.com) by phone: 801-288-9294 852 W River Trail Ter # 717 SLC UT 84123 RSVPs encouraged. We would like to hear from you if you decide to attend the rally or if you know of someone who is going to. It will help us plan according to how many we think will be there. If you know of an organization or publication that would be willing to be a sponsor of the Honolulu rally, please have them contact Carolyn or Kathy. Thanks . . . and ALOHA! Same-gender Marriage Time Line 1990 Three couples in Hawaii attempt to get marriage licenses but are turned down 1991 The three couples sued the state for the right to marry May 1993 The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that denying the three couples marriage licenses amounted to gender discrimination and violated the state Constitution's equal protection clause unless the state could show a compelling state interest in doing so. Feb 1994 The First Presidency of the Mormon church issues an edict urging all faithful members to actively work to prevent the legalization of same-gender marriage. 1995 Mormon Church and Catholic Church attempt to affect outcome of same-gender case in Hawaii. Mormons ask to take active role in the case, but request is denied. Catholics file "friend of the court" brief. Utah legislature is the first in the nation to pass a bill prohibiting the recognition of same-gender marriage. Dec 1996 A Hawaii judge ruled that the state had failed to show a compelling reason why it should refuse to allow homosexual couples to marry. State will appeal to the Supreme Court of Hawaii. Same-gender marriages put on hold pending outcome of that appeal. 1997 The Hawaii legislature is looking at several ways to try to keep same-gender marriage from being legalized, including a possible Constitutional Amendment.