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Today the Hawaii State House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee held
hearings on O'ahu on same sex marriage.  The legislature may consider
introducing a bill during the coming session to prohibit same sex marriage by
amending the state constitution (which would leave the state supreme court
powerless to legalize same gender marriage).

While we on the Marriage Project did not want the hearings, we took good
advantage of them in order to have our voice(s) heard.  Over 500 written
testimonies were submited to the chair of the committee.  I would estimate
about half of the spoken testimony was gay/lesbian positive: they asked the
legislature to stay out of the issue and allow the judicial process to carry
through.  Several testimonies were personal, touching.  In addition, we had
several testimonies offered by heterosexual people and several churches.
That was so positive when the opposition is constantly flaunting that
they are Christian.  The Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu and Lutheran
Church of Honolulu were particularly supportive, though one of the Episcopal
clergy attached to the diocesan headquarters (St. Andrews' Cathedral) also
testified in our favor.  Four of the plaintiffs testified.

Tonight there was a special fundraiser with a matching donation offer.  A man
offered to match all donations of $500 or more.  As we are so far behind in lega
we hope we raise a sizeable amount through this.

All in all, it has been a wonderful day.  I think we impressed the committee
enough that they will refrain from passing an amendment to our constitution
to preclude same sex marriage.  In that way, the courts will continue the
case, which most of us feel we will win.  Perhaps in two years, we will be
able to have legalized marriages--not just domestic partnerships with limited
legal benefits--here.  Afterwards, these legally married couples can
institute suits in some states--such as Wisconsin and Massachusetts--which
already have extended legal rights to gays and lesbians.  These states will
have a harder time proving "compelling state interest" in refusing to
recognize Hawaii-sanctioned same-sex marriages.  When those states cannot
deny the legality of the marriages, the rights will spread.

As I indicated above, we are short of funds.  If you can, please donate to
the Gay and Lesbian Community Center -- Marriage Project.  Send donations to
GLCC at 1820 University Avenue, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822.  I apologize if this
is inappropriate to the list.

xxx