SAME-SEX MARRIAGES COMING TO
HAWAII

          On May 5, 1993, the Supreme Court of Hawai ruled in the case of Baehr et al.
v. Lewin that the denial of marriage licenses to same-sex couples is sex discrimination.  The
court ruled that unless the State of Hawaii can demonstrate a compelling state interest
narrowly drawn to avoid unnecessary abridgments of constitutional rights, same-sex
marriages will be legal, consummated, and recognized in the State of Hawaii.  The
Supreme Court of Hawaii sent the case back to the lower court for further hearings.  

          Given the heavy burden the State of Hawaii must demonstrate in the lower
court, the attorney for the gay and lesbian couples in the case is confident that they will
prevail in the lower court and again in the Supreme Court of Hawaii -- all within the next
two years.  Should the Supreme Court of Hawaii uphold same-sex marriages as expected,
gay and lesbian couples throughout the United States will benefit.  Under the full faith and
credit clause of the United States Constitution, a state must recognized the acts, decrees,
and judgments of another state.  There is no residency requirement for marriage in the
State of Hawaii.  Currently, couples from Japan marry and honeymoon in Hawaii.  Same-
sex couples from throughout the United States could come to Hawaii, marry, and return
to their own state.  

          The Supreme Court of Hawaii's decision in Baehr et al. v. Lewin is possibly
the most important legal victory for gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the United States to
date.  The case is not over.  In order to secure complete victory in Hawaii and ultimately
throughout the United States, the gay and lesbian couples bringing this case need your
assistance to defray their legal fees and costs.  If you believe in equal rights for all
couples, we ask for your support.  The recognition of same-sex marriages in the State of
Hawaii and in other states will ensure that same-sex couples have equal access to health care,
employment benefits, tax incentives, public assistance, personal and real property rights, and
hundreds of other legal rights and benefits.  There is no more important case pending in the
nation.  We ask for your support.  

          Please send your tax-deductible contribution to the non-profit (IRS tax-
exempt # 237387405) Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 1820 University Avenue #8,
Honolulu, HI  96822; contributions should be made payable to GLCC/HERMP.
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I want to help make same-sex marriages legal.  Here is my contribution:
___$5000  ___$1000  ___$500   ___$250   ___$100   ___$50    ___$25    
___$ Other                        ___Please keep my gift confidential.
MAIL TO:  GLCC/HERMP, 1820 University Avenue #8, Honolulu, HI 96822