PDHblog
This is a place for members of Progressive Democrats of Hawai‘i to express their thoughts
and exasperations about political happenings. The opinions and views are not necessarily
those of PDH's steering committee or membership as a whole.

I have been asked about the topic of Civil Unions by my “non-political” friends over the past few years more than any other topic. Most of my friends, some of whom were too young to vote when “Hawaii already voted on this issue,” are simply incredulous that this is even a controversial issue. To most people my age (35) and younger, the thought of denying rights based on a person’s sexual orientation doesn’t make any sense.

Opponents of Civil Unions like to paint supporters as a “vocal minority.” Can we stand up and show them that we are larger and more diverse than they ever imagined? If you think that is possible, please read below. I recognize that passing HB444 (the bill that would establish Civil Unions as an option for all couples in Hawai‘i) this year a long-shot, but this sort of effort can help build toward future successes as well.

Text of request below and press release here.

Aloha! As you know, advocates for civil unions have not given up on passing H.B. 444 this session. But it does seem like a long-shot, unless leaders in the mainstream community somehow show their support. Let’s demonstrate the real traditional values of Hawai‘i…aloha, laulima and lokahi.

Here’s the situation. In January the senate passed HB444 back to the House, where its final vote was postponed indefinitely. Among the 33 civil union supporters in the House last session, several were against voting on the bill because they saw no point in passing HB444 if it might be vetoed. However, if 26 house members wanted a vote on HB444 before the end of the session (April 29), it could happen. Information on HB444 and the rights/benefits it provides are online at www.equalityhawaii.org/hb444 .

No one knows whether the governor will exercise a veto, but the absence of any hint of veto has led many to believe the governor will allow the bill to become law without her approval. A majority of the 51-member house is 26 and a veto override requires 34 votes.

This month, we have a chance of fulfilling Hawaii’s legacy of equal rights and opportunity for all. But to seek a vote on HB444, house members need to feel confident of community support for this bill. They want to know that community leaders, like you, will support their HB444 vote at this year’s elections.

So here’s our plan. We have formed a new group called Citizens For Equal Rights. CFER is planning to produce a booklet with photos of community members who support HB444. The booklet will be distributed to House members — grouped by community sector with 15-20 photos per page, for example: business, labor, civic, law, religion, education, health care, construction, real estate, sports, and other categories.

Would you be willing to appear in this booklet? Accepting this invitation would mean that you will go public with your support of civil unions in Hawai‘i and the end of discrimination against gay and lesbian couples. To bolster community support for HB444, CFER is also planning to run some newspaper ads that you can skip by letting us know.

If you accept this invitation, could you email your photo and occupation (and title, if applicable) to equality808@gmail.com . We would also appreciate your asking friends and associates if they would be willing to go public with their support of equal rights and civil unions.

Whatever you can do would be most appreciated. Thank you.

Aloha,
Rachel Orange & Kat Brady
Citizens for Equal Rights