From: HawaiiGay1@aol.com
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 16:49:41 EST
Subject: GLEA Foundation's Position against combining DP with limited marriage definition

Aloha Folks,

The following letter was sent this morning on behalf of the Board of Directors
of the GLEA Foundation.  Our community needs to stand up and take action and
leave the political tradeoff of our rights under the U.S. and Hawaii
constitutions. 

Your feedback, support and fully appreciated.

Aloha Legislators, Governor and Lt. Governor,

I have been informed that there is a push by some well meaning groups to forge
a political marriage between proposed bill defining marriage between a man and
a woman and a bill proposing some form of domestic partnership.

As the originators of the same-sex marriage lawsuit, organizer of the three
same-sex couple litigants, and hiring of the lawyer to develop and conduct
this case, The GLEA Foundation strongly opposes such action.

We are very much supportive of domestic partnership legislation for any two
consenting adults regardless of their sexual orientation as an alternative to
legal marriage.  This domestic partnership should not be discriminatory on
basis of sex, thus heterosexual and same-sex couples should have this legal
status open to them.   If the bill or measure would be bias to discriminating
based upon sex of a couple or one member of the couple it would be
discriminatory and we would pursue legal action in accordance with our
statutes and constitution based upon sex discrimination.

We are strongly opposed to any bill to define marriage which would limit any
two consenting adults (except currently exempted blood relative couples).  We
would fully support a clear new definition which eliminated any doubt that
there were any limitations on the basis discussed above.

Anyone who votes for a limitation of marriage as has been suggested by some
would be a vote against the full equal protection of all citizens assured by
the U.S. and Hawaii constitutions.  

Even to pair these two suggested measures together would mean that any voting
for the measures together would be voting to deny same-sex couples their
entitled equal protection and U.S. citizens and would also be voting to
formally establish same-sex couples second class citizenship.   

The GLEA Foundation is committed to promote and pursue equal protection for
all.  We sincerely hope you will take up this commitment as well.

The GLEA Foundation requests your comments and feedback regarding this letter
to you.


Sincerely,

William W. Woods, MPH
For the Board of the GLEA Foundation

P.O. Box 37083
Honolulu, Hawaii  96837

537-2000