Date: Fri, 04 Apr 1997 05:47:30 -1000 queerpolitics@abacus.oxy.edu, queerplanet@abacus.oxy.edu, submit@qrd.org, glb-news@listserv.aol.com From: lambda@aloha.net (Martin Rice) Subject: Hawai`i Action Alerts, Information & Updates #2 Aloha ahi ahi kakou. Just getting into the swing of this. We've got 7 days left (possibly 16) to affect the overall impact of the Legislature in Honolulu regarding our civil rights. This broadcast, and subsequent similar broadcasts, will include as much material as possible until that time from individuals that are close to the matter. I will prepare a summarized header, with text to follow. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> TRACEY BENNETT: A personal view of the Hawai`i Legislature, April 1, 1997 BILL WOODS: Example of what you can do TRACEY BENNETT: Wednesday at the Capitol: April 2, 1997 MARTIN RICE: STAND-INS: I'm mad as hell . . . . FEEDBACK: BILL WOODS FEEDBACK: KATHY WORTHINGTON FEEDBACK: MARK BREDA FEEDBACK: Phonecon from STEVIE, Lihu`e FEEDBACK: CAROLYN GOLOJUCH MARTIN RICE: Hawai`i's Future Today running radio ads on Kaua`i BILL WOODS: Call to get letters to the editor to newspapers on all islands TRACEY BENNET: URGENT request for immediate action WARD STEWART: Observation on Toni Sheldon and Gene Ward MARTIN RICE: Article for the GARDEN ISLAND that was ursurped by news release from HFT <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM TRACEY BENNETT: please forward A personal view of the Hawai'i legislature from Tracey Bennett, Lobbyist for Marriage Project Hawaii At the conference committee on Tuesday, April 1, Rep. Terrance Tom introduced his latest bills to the Senators. Before I deal with the content, let me comment that the timing is significant (read: political). Last week the Senate wrote a 6-page letter asking for detailed response to its questions and assumptions. Rep. Tom sent a 4-page scorcher that didn't answer the issues. By bringing 2 new bills to the table yesterday, he threw a grenade in the Senate's court and provided ammunition for the anti-civil rights stand-in happening today (Wednesday) and tomorrow at the capitol. The new House version of the constitutional amendment has few real changes. It moves from the equal protection clause [the one about no discrimination "on the basis of race, ancestry, sex, etc...] to a new section 23--this is a good thing-- and reads as follows: "The Legislature shall have the power to reserve the legal recognition of the marriage relationship, and its attendant rights, benefits, and burdens to couples of the opposite sex." This wording is still a problem. First of all, it's still a wolf in sheep's clothing. All the amendments are coming from the legislature's desire to appease the noisy people who want to deny same-gender couples the right to marry. The statistic we hear tossed about is "polls show that 70% of the people are opposed to same-gender marriage." According to the only poll that asked about the constitution, only 51% favor changing the constitution so same-gender couples cannot marry. This statistic is VERY different! As with many polls, the margin of error is plus or minus 5%. While the new version of HB 117 is a lot easier to read than the old version, it still reserves the right to designate benefits for the legislature only. In other words, between the lines it says that the court has NO say in the matter. And as we know from Baehr court case, the court has a lot to say about discrimination. And unlike the Senate's version, it does not protect the rights of non-traditional couples in any way. Tom told the Senators, "Don't hold 117 [the amendment] hostage to 118 [the reciprocal beneficiaries bill]. He's in a hurry to slam the amendment through. The Senate sees the amendment and benefits bills as going hand in hand. As for HB 118: in the House version of benefits, we had only 4 cans of soup. Tom added one benefit: if we slip in the soup, we get family health coverage. If the coverage costs more, the reciprocal beneficiaries will pay for it, although the employers can pay if they want to. Big deal.... ACTION STEP: Call two friends and ask them to call, fax or write the 4 beleaguered senators who are trying to be fair, who are trying to protect human rights. Something in writing is most effective because it lasts longer. Mahalo! Matt Matsunaga p-586-7100 f-586-7109 email matsnaga@pixi.com Avery Chumbley p-586-6030 f-586-6031 email abc@aloha.net Mike McCartney p-586-6910 f-586-6909 email senmccartney@capitol.hawaii.gov Wayne Metcalf p-586-6900 f-586-6869 email senmetcalf@capitol.hawaii.gov <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM BILL WOODS: Aloha Folks, We are in full swing doing what we can. Please consider what Roger (below) did - sent letters to the Senate Conferrees who have been supporting fair and equal rights. The email addresses for the Senators are at the top of the letter. Please CC copies to HawaiiGay1@aol.com so we can add them to our archives and our other efforts to combat discrimination and a possible constitutional amendment against us. *** Subj: Stand Firm for Equal Rights... PLEASE! From: Roger.Nelms@turner.com To: matsnaga@pixi.com, abc@aloha.net, senmccartney@capitol.hawaii.gov, senmetcalf@capitol.hawaii.gov cc: HawaiiGay1@aol.com April 2, 1997 Matt Matsunaga p-586-7100 f-586-7109 email matsnaga@pixi.com Avery Chumbley p-586-6030 f-586-6031 email abc@aloha.net Mike McCartney p-586-6910 f-586-6909 email senmccartney@capitol.hawaii.gov Wayne Metcalf p-586-6900 f-586-6869 email senmetcalf@capitol.hawaii.gov Dear Sirs: I am contacting you on behalf of gays and lesbians in this United States of America. It has come to our attention that there are anti-gay lobbying groups and individuals who are currently trying to place great pressure on you to thwart Hawaii's attempt to recognize ALL U.S. citizens as equal under the law, via the passing of same-gender marriage legislation. I, along with countless others in this country, would like you to be aware that we are opposed to any constitutional amendment which would deprive any individual of civil rights, offend the Bill of Rights, or impose one religious vision of marriage on everyone. We urge you to give gay and lesbian couples the exact same legal protections currently afforded to heterosexual couples. All of Hawaii's residents should be treated with dignity, respect and 100% equality, as should all those residing in the most progressive, free nation on the face of the Earth. Our thanks and support for your continuing efforts to ensure the dignity and equality of ALL mankind. Sincerely, Roger S. Nelms Atlanta, Georgia United States of America <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM TRACEY BENNETT: Hi, gang. I went to the capitol late Wednesday (2:30), thinking to miss the stand-in folks. Wrong. They were in the middle of their second shift. A quiet bunch (while I was in the offices), although I was told that they had talked noisily among themselves. The Senate Sgt. at Arms came into one office, flashed his badge, and said that the group would have to leave because of fire laws. One stand-in said, "How do we know that badge is real?" Not a good idea to sass him: the Sgt. is a Golden Gloves boxer. Which gave me an idea: make fake badges and throw everybody out of the senators' offices.... While Matt's and Avery's offices had taken furniture out, McCartney's had an extra big table with Jimmy Carter's op ed piece "It's Christian to reject the politics of hate" and his own thoughtful letter on same-gender marriage. Matt had the 4 senators' op ed piece, and Metcalf put brownies and cookies in the hall. I wonder if Metcalf got the idea from me. Last Thursday I took Punky Bright Eyes, the easter Fox, and the biggest bowl of chocolate chip cookies you've ever seen around to the friendly offices. I had such a great time (and scored a copy of the supposedly confidential senate letter to Terry Tom), that I did it again on Monday, visiting the other offices (and scoring Terry's reply). At each office I announced: "I've come to sweeten you up." Barbara Marumoto said that I could influence her with cookies, but a staffer on another floor told me seriously that she didn't think the senator would change his mind. Back to yesterday: McCartney's staff estimated that about 50 people had come through. There weren't enough of them to crowd all the offices at once, so they traveled in groups and focused on the senate conferees. Several were young, about 16. One said she didn't know any gay or lesbian people, so I introduced myself.... Phones were ringing, ringing.... Many anti-civil rights callers were nasty and wouldn't leave their names, so Avery's receptionist let the machine take the calls. There were heaps of faxes and letters. Nobody's keeping a tally, so it's not possible to monitor that. It wasn't ALL the other guys. In the morning the ACLU gathered 25 from the clergy coalition, and Bishop Fujitani got more air time on channel 2 than the other folks. He also sounded reasonable; the interviewee for the antis didn't. On-screen we were a large presence. I don't see any action happening this week. Friday's the second crossover for bills, and that deadlline takes precedence. Aloha, Tracey <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM MARTIN RICE: Aloha kakahiaka kakou. Why can't we have our own STAND-INS? I might suggest that we start off with a stand-in at a Catholic Church service to protest Father Marc's involvement against our civil rights (something that the church has no business being a part of) AND Bishop DeLorenzo's offical policy of exclusion, fear-mongering and hate. Any service that the Bishop is presiding over would be great. Could you imagine the video of us being ejected from a church service?? Great PR. When? How about Sunday, April 20th, the day after the "Family Rights" picnic, where an announcement could be made. Follow-up? How about Monday morning? In the lobby of the office tower where Linda Rosehill has her downtown office. Break for lunch, then on to the headquarters of the First Hawai`ian Bank in the afternoon, where we could all close our accounts en masse. I'll sit down now. A hui hou, Martin <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM BILL WOODS: Aloha Martin, I love your idea, but you should know private buildings will not let you inside - streets would be OK. I think a new way to confront them would be more in line with creativity and a Gay fashion statement. do good Bill RESPONSE: I'ld love a film crew to be there to record be physically be dragged out of my former church!! <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM KATHY WORTHINGTON: Martin, Sounds great to me, which church and at what time? I haven't had a good excuse to go to church in a long time. Kathy Worthington, Salt Lake City <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM MARK BREDA: Brother Martin: I'm pissed too, and so are plenty of my friends. They all seem to think that waiting until we loose to fight back is bullshit. Anyway, keep the faith, I'll be happy to stand in anywhere you want me to and be especially obnoxious. Eight more days, do me a favor, don't want this too much. Ok. Love, Mark <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM STEVIE: Received a phone call from Stevie in Lihu`e. He wanted to know why we were only targeting Catholics and suggested that a "stand-in" be held at "that tax-exempt Mormon Disneyland out in La`ie." Good point, is Sunday afternoon cool? Caravans? <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM CAROLYN GOLOJUCH: Don't sit down. We've been patient long enough. I love your enthusiasm! CG <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM MARTIN RICE: KUAI and KQNG, the only two radio stations on Kaua`i have been running generic ads targeting the four Senators by name since at least yesterday morning. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM BILL WOODS: Martin, My walk around the capitol brought about one suggestion (major urging in reality) from one legislator's office: Need lots of letters to editor for each paper on each island. Need hand deliveries tomorrow, and can mail for next week if mailed on Saturday. Would you please help get the word out to Hawaii residents on all islands. Bill <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM TRACEY BENNETT: >Please forward this message from the lobbyist for Marriage Project Hawaii. > > > We need your help right now!!!! Come to the Capitol, Fri., April 4 > >The anti-civil rights groups have been at the capitol for 2 days. Now it's >our turn to show up and be counted. The Clergy Coalition will be there. We >need YOU, too. > >Come visit the senators Friday, April 4. We'll convene in the rotunda >(street level) a little before 1 p.m. and make the rounds of the senate >offices until 2. Dress for success (and to make a good impression). It >would be nice to bring snacks to distribute (chocolate, cookies...). > >There's metered parking under the capitol. Enter via Miller St., which is >across from Queen's Hospital, off Punchbowl. > >Call the ACLU for information: 522-5906. > <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM WARD STEWART: If one should wish to be a little less sugary it might do to remind our legislators of the utter hypocrisy offered by HFT -- They formed their goo goo committee to stamp out evil -- specifically gambling, homosexuality and prostitution -- to date not a peep about gambling or prostitution!~! In the interim, Gene Ward and Marie "Toni" Sheldon have joined the public defense of the madams of the many cat-houses here on Oahu -- Politics does, indeed, make for strange bedfellows. ward <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FROM MARTIN RICE: Following is an article that I thought was going to be included in the Garden Island's Wednesday edition. It was replaced, surplanted, usurped, whatever by what appears to be a news release praising Hawai`i's Future Today. CONFEREES REGROUP AS DEADLINE NEARS State Senate and House Conferees met yesterday in an attempt to come to agreement on two bills associatied with the same-gender marriage issue. House Judiciary Chair Terrance Tom presented a "new" constitutional amendment (H.B. 117 CD 1 PROPOSED) to define marriage in terms of one man and one woman, and to leave future jurisdiction solely in the hands of the Legislature, if accepted by both chambers and approved by voters as early as next year. However, the new proposal would also circumvent the governor and the judiciary in the future. One legal expert noted that the new version of the amendment may not pass constitutional muster, especially at the federal level. But Rep. Tom insists that it is the Legislature's duty to make law, and the final version of any constitutional amendment must be made available to Governor Cayetano by April 11. The approach that Rep. Tom has taken is new as well. Instead of jeopardizing the equal protection clause as his previous bill did, Tom's new version would add a new section to the state constitution. Noted Senate Judiciary Co-Chair Avery Chumbley: "I'm extremely encouraged that the House has seen the wisdom and not compromised the equal protection clause in our Hawai`i State Constitution. This is a positive step in the right direction." The proposed addition to the constitution would read: "Section 23. The Legislature shall have the power to reserve the legal recognition of the marriage relationship, and its attendant rights, benefits and burdens to couples of the opposite sex," and ask if the Constitiution shall be so amended. The "new" version of Rep. Tom's House Bill 118 (which establishes a legal "reciprocal beneficiary" relationship) was also unveiled at yesterday's hearing. It adds health care benefits to the other rights to be exended to couples "who otherwise are unable to marry." But there's a hitch. It also sets up a new insurance category. If a family rate is available from an employer, then a "reciprocal beneficiary" would make up the difference in cost, not the employer. When asked who sets the rates for the family plan, Rep. Tom said that it was the insurance company that sets those rates. Representative Cynthia Theilen objected to the original "reciprocal beneficiaries" bill, because the health concerns for children who are members of nontraditional families were not adequately addressed. Rep. Theilen was not able to respond to the inclusion of health care benefits as various committee meetings kept her and many other conferees busy. Thielen did note that she hadn't had the time to study the "new" bills as they were distributed to everyone at the onset of yesterday's Joint Conference. But a Honolulu savant offered an explaination for the delay in getting the new bills to the conferees. "It is pure politics. With the stand-in demonstations that started today at the state Capitol, the opponents of same-gender marriage will be able to disrupt the legislators offices by waving the new bills in the faces of the conferees and demanding that action be taken. The timing is nothing but a pressure play," he stated. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ~~pau~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Some people have suggested reversing the Supreme Court's decision by tinkering with the equal protection or sex discrimination clause of our Constitution. Such an amendment is unnecessary, and this proposal offends my sense of fairness to all our citizens. Any campaign that seeks to isolate a portion of our people from the benefits of our Constitution would be both mean spirited and divisive to our community." --Hawai`i State Representative Terrance Tom, 1993 ~~~~~ Fred and Martin 24 years, yet strangers before the law ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~