From: HawaiiGay1 Date: Sat, 10 Jan 1998 02:03:19 EST Subject: Court dismisses Ithaca same-sex marriage case -Need to refile Aloha Folks, The Ithica is a testament that learned people may disagree even when those with the big bucks and powerful control of media reporters who make the articles come out against those who are just and right in their endeaver. The Storrs' New York case will have no detrimental effect on the Hawaii case as it is based upon Hawaii statutes and Hawaii constitutional issues. The article just out by The Blade only quotes Evan Wolfson who fought the Storrs' request for marriage and got a similar negative article against them at that initial request for license. The fact is that the Washinton Blade only seeks Lambda Legal and its ilk knowing that others such as the GLEA Foundation - Hawaii Gay Marriage Project which initiated the Hawaii lawsuit totally disagree with Lambda/Wolfson. Why was this organization's support for the Storrs not covered as well - only the negative side???? Since the Hawaii lawsuit began hundreds of reports from around the country and world have contacted us. During numerous interviews we were told by reporters that they could not cover with any depth our work in the area because they had been informed they would no longer get news/information from the "big guys" if our organization and its work were fairly recognized and covered in print. Before I solicited the three Hawaii couples and contracted with the private attorney, Mr. Wolfson and Lambda Legal Defense were contacted and explained the conceptualized Hawaii case and they immediately refused to provide help or support. That was in late 1980's - Lambda's Executive Director proceeded to make numerous public statements about legal marriage for Gay people and decried any decent Gay person from going forward to support it. Mr. Wolfson is now re-writing history because he became co-counsel AFTER the Hawaii case received its two Hawaii State Supreme Court victories in May and June 1993 - Over three years after the case was filed and more than five years after they were asked to help. The Ithica case is truly a potential winner with good legal counsel. The chiling effect caused continuously by Evan Wolfson and the Lambda Legal Defense public relations machine is a hinderance to the freedom and equality for Gay Americans. The resources of this organization have been used to dissuade many learned legal and non-legal professionals to turn their back on such cases. Another such case Wolfson personally tried to prevent from being filed is the Alaska case. Then after it was filed he and Lambda made numerous public relation letters to editors and the like in Alaska stating how important and good the case was and that he was glad Lambda Legal could be of help to them. Hipocracy and the run for the money! Has then post been allowed on the information and marriage boards you belong too. Help get the facts and the word out. Freedom, equality and justice is everyone's responsibility. Do good, William E. Woods, MPH GLEA Foundation - Hawaii Gay Marriage Project Hawaii Gay Marriage Bureau Initiators of the Hawaii same-sex marriage case P.O. Box 37083 Honolulu, Hawaii 96837 (808) 532-9000