Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 03:58:28 -1000 From: lambda@aloha.net (Martin Rice) Subject: Hawai`i Action Alerts, Information & Updates #9 Aloha kakahiaka kakou. Just getting back into the swing of this after the emergency summons to Honolulu. NOTES ON THE UPCOMING WEEK REPORTS FROM THE CAPITOL: Friday, April 11 TRACEY BENNETT BILL WOODS & MARTIN RICE (#1) BILL WOODS & MARTIN RICE (#2) CAROLYN GOLOJUCH CAROLYN GOLOJUCH: Mahalos ANNOUNCEMENT: CANDLELIGHT VIGIL UPDATE: Stand-ins GESTURE OF THE YEAR PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE FEEDBACK: Terrance Tom's tirade GARY PATRICK J. DOOLEY FEEDBACK: Tax-Exempt Gays? FEEDBACK: Roman Catholic involvement? LETTER FROM CHUCK KISSELBERG <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> NOTES ON THE UPCOMING WEEK This week promises to be the most intense yet regarding the marriage issue. This is the last stand for the opposition in the marriage issue before the expected ruling later this year by the Hawai`i Supreme Court on the state's appeal regarding the mandated issuance of marriage licenses. We are nearing (Friday, April 18) yet another deadline, this one more concrete than last week's, as it represents the last time this legislative *session* that the language for the Constitutional Amendment (HB 117) question and can be finalized between House and Senate conferees and be presented to the governor, IF it is passed by a 2/3 majority in both chambers. If the language is finalized and the question passes by only a 50%+1 majority in both chambers, then it must pass another vote by the same majority in the next session. That could happen next year when the Legislature reconvenes in January *OR* it could happen this year if the governor decides that a special session is needed to attend to *ANY* matter that remains unresolved (in this case, probably the state budget), at which time the *WHOLE* process regarding same-gender marriage could be opened again. OUR BEST SCENARIO: Nothing comes out of the Legislature. OUR NEXT BEST SCENARIO: The Senate versions of HB 117 and HB 118* pass. OUR WORST SCENARIO: The House versions of HB 117 and HB 118* pass. *HB 118 is a bill defining "Reciprocal Beneficiaries" and benefits available contained therein to be made available to couples who are otherwise unable to marry. NOTE: The way things are shaping up, it appears that I will be in Honolulu on Friday & Saturday again. Will file reports from there AND will take a disc this time with *ALL* of your e-mail addresses. Announcement of "Candlelight Vigils" (below), updates on "Family Rights Weekend" (expected) and confirmation of "Stand-ins" (forthcoming) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> REPORT FROM THE CAPITOL: Tracey Bennett Great news so far! Negotiations between the House and Senate conferees ended without agreement about 2 a.m. They had agreed to accept the House language for the constitutional amendment, HB 117, with the body of the bill to specify "marriage licenses." Yet to be worked out is whether the couples have redress in the courts, which the senators insist on. They must also agree on the language of the rest of the bill and the committee report. These are important because they specify the bill's intent. It's still possible that agreement could jam up over these points. We hope so! Although conferees had agreed earlier in the day to the Senate version of reciprocal beneficiaries (200 benefits minus the one about filing taxes jointly), when Speaker Souki entered the fray in the evening, the deal unraveled. The final sticking points were when the bill would take effect (senate: ASAP; house: much later) and whether the state would be willing to pay the same 60% of the family coverage that it pays now for married couples. Souki would yield either one, but not both. There will be no more meetings this weekend. We expect this issue to drag on for another week, til midnight next Friday, the 18th, so keep those calls and faxes coming in. Call again. Your supportive messages buoy the spirits of senators and staff. Thanks for all your good energy. I know it made a difference! Aloha, Tracey Bennett Marriage Project Hawaii lobbyist Senator Matt Matsunaga p-(808) 586-7100 f-(808) 586-7109 email matsnaga@pixi.com Senator Avery Chumbley p-(808) 586-6030 f-(808) 586-6031 email abc@aloha.net Senator Mike McCartney p-(808) 586-6910 f-(808) 586-6909 email senmccartney@capitol.hawaii.gov Senator Wayne Metcalf p-(808) 586-6900 f-(808) 586-6869 email senmetcalf@capitol.hawaii.gov <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> REPORT FROM THE CAPITOL: Bill Woods & Martin Rice (#1) Aloha Folks, This is an alert to people in Honolulu. You are encouraged to come to Capitol tonight (Friday from 8-midnight). There is expected to be a joint conference and something expected to come out. Attendance of our side's supporters could be important to what actually is proposed and might be accepted. Martin Rice, Tracey Bennett, Dan Foley and myself were at the Capitol most of afternoon and will return for tonights work. Do good, NOW IS THE TIME. Bill Hawaii Gay Marriage Project GLEA Foundation This is what Martin wrote a short time ago before the alert was prepared to encourage all Hawai`ian community to come to Capitol tonight. Aloha auwinala kakou. 7 hours . . . . tick . . . . tick . . . . tick . . . . Martin here in Honolulu. Just came from Senator Chumbley's office. He was non-commital, but it looks like tonight is the night for something to come out of committee. There will not be a Joint Conference Committee meeting *before* 9pm HST. Earlier today it was reported that Rep. Tom had acquiesced to the Senate position on HB 118 (the right's package) with the exception of state income tax benefits. When Tom expected the Senate conferees to come to his side on HB 117 (the Constitutional Amendment defining marriage in terms of one man and one woman), and the Senate conferees wouldn't budge, the meeting ended with Tom screaming "F**k You!! F**k You!! F**k You!!" It appears that the haggling still going on is centered around language on HB 117, with the Senate hanging tough, but still trying to come to a compromise that works with the House definition without giving up due process for our side. We'll go back to the capitol in a few hours and wait for the meeting, and I'll report back as soon as possible. The call has gone out for our supporters to come down to the State Capitol later this evening. A hui hou, Martin <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> REPORT FROM THE CAPITOL: Bill Woods & Martin Rice (#2) Aloha Folks, Below please find the latest installment from Martin Rice of Kaua`i who flew over to O`ahu at the reguest of one of our key senators because of the deadline. Just a bit of background. Yesterday's note from me and Martin finished with what had happened up until about 5 PM. We returned and stayed until 3 am with the Senate and House leaders calling off any attemtp to find a solution (and already passing the deadline by 2 hours. The negotiations went back and forth beginning with Rep. Tom going to Senate conferrees office and leaving, the senators going to Rep. Tom's office three times then leaving. Their last meeting was for about 2 hours with about 15 of our side waiting and 10 of their side waiting. According to House Speaker Souki, the Senate finally agreed on their version of the anti-Gay amendment, but House would not support health insurance coverage on the DP rights bill. WhenSenate President Mizughuchi was interviewed he said House would also not agree on start up date of DP at July 1, 1997. All in all - WE WON round 1. After sitting around and getting tid-bits of information and speculating on such things as so-in-so picked up a coat and left the room, Tracey Bennet said: Who ever has more people here at 1:30 will win. Gues what? We had more people and 1:30. Stay tuned. Next major deadline is April 18 and both sides indicate this is a deadline that they will not exceed to continue talks on the matter. One More WEEK. One important week to our propable success or . . . . do good Bill Hawaii Gay Marriage Project GLEA Foundation Aloha kakahiaka kakou. Martin here in Honolulu. About 2:15am HST, well after the self-imposed deadline of midnight, the Speaker of the House, Joe Souki, emerged from his office to announce that the talks aimed at reconciling the differences between the Senate and House versions of the Constitutional Amendment (HB 117) and the Reciprocal Beneficiaries Law (HB 118) had collapsed. He went on to say that the main sticking point was health insurance benefits, and when those benefits might take place, and to whom they might apply. Senator Avery Chumbely accused the House of negotiating in bad faith, and that their logic wasn't rational. Insiders noted that the language agreed upon for the Constitutional Amendment was focused on the issuance of marriage licenses, the latest Senate position. The House had been pushing for wording that reserved marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Both sides declined to state when then next set of meeting were to begin, as the final deadline for passage of an amendment to the state Constitution is now April 19th. The governor is notified if there is a 2/3rds majority at that time. The wording must be worked out and agreed upon by the time that the vote is take. A simple 51% majority means that the vote for a Constititional Amendment needs to be passed by a successive Legislative session. We're not out of the woods yet, but this is a significant move topping off a very long day. I was summoned to Honolulu by my senator who thought that I should be here for this event. I will return to Kaua`i tomorrow and file more from there. A hui hou, Martin <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> REPORT FROM THE CAPITOL: Carolyn Golojuch Dear Friends, My car could make it to the capitol w/o me for the number of times we visit the capitol. Our PFLAG meeting adjourned early so that we could go enmass on Wed pm to attend a joint meeting of the House and the Senate Judiciary Committee. It was a very interesting experience for some who have never been present for this meetings. Afterwards, I had an experience with Speaker Joe Souki that will be relayed to you later. The closed minded attitude of some of our legislators never ceases to amaze me. All this points to the importance of PFLAG Oahu presence at the capitol. One mother was able to tell a legislator she is the mother of a gay son. She said it will such pride, that I was proud of her! This is real progress for each of us. Friday was a real interesting evening and night until 2:30 am. I raced down to hand carry letters of invitation and flyers for our upcoming Family Rights Weekend. Could have taken my time as the offices were open past 5pm. I did my delivery to all the 15 friendly Senators and two Representatives. I also acted as a messenger for Rep. Cynthia Thielen as even though she is a member of the House Judiciary Committee for one of the two bills on equal rights, she is not always notified of the meetings. I would visit Rep. Terrance Tom's Office and Sen. Chumbley's office and check to see if a meeting time had been set. It was good exercise as the evening ended up being a time of sitting and waiting. Terrance Tom seemed to enjoy the attention the media gave him as he traveled between the Judiciary meeting room and his office. The media crew complete with lights, cameras and microphones followed him around each time his left his office, Speaker Souki's office or the meeting room. Then things really calmed down and became very quiet. Later, it was leaked that Tom was at a fundraiser for Rep. White. I had a problem with this as the midnight deadline was still ahead and his favorite line, "We're talking," was wearing thin. The arrogance of this man knows no bounds. When power allows anyone to decide the fate of a whole group of people, and they treat that honor with such distain, they have forgotten the faith that has been entrusted to them by the people who have elected them. They have also forgotten about protecting the minorities from the tryanny of the majority. While in the capitol offices, and up and down the hall, I made some friends who told stories of untold numbers of irrate calls, obsene calls and threatening calls. I saw copies of letters that quoted scripture and also used such disgusting language that I couldn't believe that they profess to be Christians. If they were my children, I would wash their mouths out with soap, but these are suppose to be adults who speak of God in the next sentence. As you have probably heard, at 2:30 am the talks broke down as a decision was not met on an agreement on the language for a proposed constitutional amendment and a bill to establish benefits for same-gender couples. This is just as Dan Foley, the attorney said it would happen when he talked to the Bridges of Justice and Compassion last month. The house was not ready to compromise. The Senate gave and gave and then when the House wouldn't budge on the benefits package, the Senate said they were not working in good faith and the talks came to a halt. The midnite deadline was set by the joint committee but ... The Advertiser said this morning, "Legally, lawmakers must have the language in final from and presented to the governor 10 days before a vote. The vote would take place two days after the end of the 10-day period." It's anyone's guess what will happen next. House Speaker, Joe Souki was very involved in this whole process and the meetings were held in his office. Under separate cover I will forward a letter I sent to him and then his reply. I'm very tired as I couldn't be to sleep when I returned home but was up for a 9am meeting in Honolulu. I feel I have to be present at the Republican meetings as I am Asst. 3rd Vice Chair of the State's Membership committee. There's always some one who wants to talk about PFLAG. We can't give up on anyone. :) All this puts our Family Rights Weekend event in good placement. Every office that I entered, rec'd the invitation with a smile and positive comment when I said that we needed to do something positive after such a stress filled session. We have 100 "About Our Children" brochures to hand out next Friday during our visit to the capitol, thanks to PFLAG LA. These are a dream come true with our diverse community. The Japanese and Chinese translations are just what we need to share our message of hope. I know they will touch many hearts and help plant seeds in the process to compassion. Sorry for rambling. I need a nap. Thank you for all your support. CG <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> MAHALOS: from Carolyn Golojuch Mahalo Nui Loa, molto graci, muchas gracias to all those who sat for so many hours in the halls and sometimes the offices in the capitol on Friday night. Your good will and wishes made the time so profitable in the bonding that we experienced. As a mother, I hope and pray for a quick and successful solution that will bring justice for all of our citizens. I will never forget your presence. Thank you so much, CG <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ANNOUNCEMENT BY CAROLYN GOLOJUCH: Candlelight Vigils Anyone interested in a candlelight vigil as a show of support for equal rights? Join us at the capitol from 6pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday. We have a few candles. Bring yours in the color of your choice. Everything we do is a show of support. If these hours are not possible, don't wait for someone to start sign waving. Make a sign and go stand in front of the capitol during your lunch hour or when ever. Take a friend. Be creative with the signs but use tactful phrases. Let's not lower our standards to match the opposition's. The language they are using when calling and faxing the senators is disgraceful. Let's stand tall and get our message out at the same time. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> STAND-INS: Tentative Schedule SUNDAY MORNING: Roman Catholic mass (wherever Bishop Di Lorenzo is conducting) SUNDAY AFTERNOON: Polynesian Cultural Center (Very lucrative, *tax-exempt*, Mormon owned and operated theme park in La`ie.) MONDAY MORNING: Linda Rosehill's office (Downtown) MONDAY AFTERNOON: First Hawai`ian Bank Headquarters (Downtown). En masse closing of savings and checking accounts NOTE: Should we win victories this week at the Legislature, then we should take those victories gracefully: Stand-ins would be unnecessary. Check back for more announcements or be at the "Family Rights Weekend" picnic at Ala Moana Park on Sunday. NOTE #2: Those people/institutions listed above have had an extraordinarily active role in the attempts to deny the GLBT Community their rights. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> GESTURE OF THE YEAR Proud P-FLAG Mom and President, Carolyn Golojuch presented Linda Rosehill, Hawai`i's Future Today Co-director AND MOTHER OF A LESBIAN DAUGHTER, with an invitation of join P-FLAG O`ahu. Rosehill has been actively co-ordinating the campaign against Same-Gender Marriage. She was once discribed as the "teflon" lobbyist and has, since her active announced involvement against our rights, been removed from: 1) Co-director of the Hawai`i Clinton/Gore '96 campaign, 2) National Committeewoman of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i, and 3) Paid lobbyist for the Hawai`i State Teacher's Union. Rosehill's response to Golojuch's invitation: "Thanks." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE Forrest Bradford of Maui has a 3 minute clip of a national tv show from an ultra-conservative that says among other things that gays should be shot, etc. Of course, all this is said in the name of religion. If anyone has the means to supply electrical power on the steps of the capitol, so the tape can be shown, let him know. He works nights and can be reached at 879-7197. Leave him a message. His computer is down so you can't send an email message to him. I would get him a message if you'd rather have me forward the message. CG <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> TERRANCE TOM'S TIRADE: Feedback from Gary Politicians opposed to us who scream obscenities at their opponents when they are trying to get something sounds like a good position to be in. Gary <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> TERRANCE TOM'S TIRADE: Feedback from Patrick Dooley To whom it may concern: Is it very public knowledge that representative Tom actually conducted himself in such an unprofessional manner to shout f**k you at his colleagues? If I were to do this at work I would have been fired immediately. How dare someone elected to represent a body of American people act in such an abhorrent fasion. I do not live in Hawaii and wouldn't know how to go about alerting the mainstream media about Tom's sophomoric behavior, but if it isn't already front page news I suggest that maybe someone there do so. Just a suggestion. I know you have plenty of other things to do, but if this baboon is one of the people trying to deny us our rights, we need to fight fire with fire. Patrick J. Dooley Tucson, Arizona <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> TAX-EXEMPT GAYS: Feedback from Denis Waterbury With considerable nausea I have to ask, "What, are heterosexuals the only taxpayers in Hawaii?" Will [Representative] Tom, then introduce legislation exempting all gay people from paying taxes? Denis Waterbury Portland, Oregon <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ROMAN CATHOLIC INVOLVEMENT: Feedback from Denis Waterbury Father Alexander's enthusiastic involvement in this issue of civil rights reminds me of the most notable period in history in which persons in his line of work involved themselves with other people's right to self-determination: Jews and others not professing the Roman Catholic Faith found that they were obliged to die in agony in the torture chambers of the Inquisition. Some people don't learn from history. "The last time we mixed religion with politics, people got burned at the stake." Denis Waterbury Portland, Oregon <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> LETTER FROM CHUCK KISSELBURG Dear Senators Chumbley, Matsunaga, McCartney and Metcalf, I have been reading about the various meetings that have occured between your committee and the House committee regarding same-gender marriage. I know you are receiving heavy pressure from those who would like to keep gay and lesbian citizens of Hawaii from realizing their civil rights. I know that this has been an ugly struggle, but keep in mind how long gays and lesbians have had to deal with this hate. You hold the key to help begin the bridge building process between the straight and gay members of your community. We have seen, through history, that there has always been a struggle in the advancement of civil rights. It just so happens that at this time, we are looking at the civil rights of gays and lesbians. In the Honolulu Star Bulletin (4-10-97) I read where Rep. Terrance Tom has stated, "Your amendment does not even mention limiting the status of marriage to couples of the opposite sex." What struck me when reading this article was his choice to use the word, "limit". As Republican Representative Ken Chlouber (of Colorado) said, as he argued in his fight NOT to ban same-gender marriage, "I think when we pass a bill, it ought to do a good, it ought to right a wrong, it ought to move a rock down the road so that those who come behind have it a bit easier." I can't see where a bill which serves to "limit" people's civil rights is "doing a good" or "righting a wrong". I just want to say that I appreciate what you are doing to help do the right thing in bringing civil rights to the gay and lesbian citizens of Hawaii. Sincerely, Chuck Kisselburg San Francisco, Ca. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ~~pau~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "One should never watch two things while they are being made: sausage and the law." --Unknown ~~~~~ Fred and Martin 24 years, yet strangers before the law ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~