Hello, everybody, First of all, I want to thank everyone who has gotten involved in supporting the Hawaii same-sex marriage case. From writing letters, sending donations, entering articles (and the ruling itself), to just plain distributing the information to corners of the net I didn't even know existed, it is clear that there is a lot of support out there on the net. I've talked to one of the plaintiffs about the activity on the net on this issue, and she is amazed and delighted at the amount of excitement and support generated. She thanks you! Many of you have asked what else you can do in support of the case. At a strategy meeting tonight with one of the plaintiffs and some local organizers, I learned that Governor Waihee has just come out officially against legalizing same-sex marriages. This closes off whatever thin sliver of hope remained for an early political resolution to the issue, leaving it up to the plaintiffs to pursue it back through circuit court and most likely on up to the Hawaii Supreme Court again. As you are by now aware, the plaintiffs' lawyer deems they have an excellent chance of securing the right to same-sex marriage licenses. But this fight will take another couple of years to wind its way through the courts, where the state will try to show compelling reasons to deny the licenses. So what can you do? Send money! That is the single most pressing issue for the plaintiffs right now. The three couples are currently tens of thousands of dollars behind in legal fees, and with another two years to go, they stand to go much further into debt. Help them continue this fight! Contributions are tax-deductible, and should be sent to: Hawai'i Equal Rights Marriage Project Gay and Lesbian Community Center 1820 University Ave. Honolulu, HI 96822 Checks should be made out to H.E.R.M.P. To those who have already contributed, the plaintiffs send their warmest thanks. And to everybody, please forward this message to your friends and urge them to give whatever they can. Every little bit helps. If they win their case, same-sex marriages will be _completely_legal_ in the State of Hawaii, with full rights. Furthermore, since all states are bound to recognize each others' marriages, the spark for nationwide marriage rights has been lit. I know I feel a tremendous debt of gratitude to the couples for the work they are doing to secure us one of the most important marks of full citizenship in this country. Mahalo, --John John Flanagan ||"What seemed impossible has johnf@uhheph.phys.hawaii.edu || become almost a reality." U. of Hawaii, Dept. of Physics & Astro.|| -- Joe Melilio, plaintiff, 2505 Correa Rd., Honolulu, HI 96822 || Hawai`i same-sex marriage suit