Hawaii governor calls special session on marriage equality
Tue. September 10, 2013 7:37 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
hawaii gov. neil abercrombie
photo credit // wikipedia
Honolulu, HI -
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Monday called a special session of the Hawaii legislature to consider marriage equality legislation.
"It's time for marriage equity to take place, and it's also time to recognize that it can take place without violating the religious principals of anybody in this state," Abercrombie said during his announcement at the State Capitol.
The special session will begin October 28, 2013, that's less than a week after Illinois lawmakers will meet for a veto session, which could include a vote on marriage equality in the House.
Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage. If marriage equality passes in Hawaii, same-sex marriage licenses and ceremonies will be effective November 18, 2013.
An announcement from Equality Hawaii board member Steven Levinson said, "Since this morning, we've counted the votes over and over again and I won't sugarcoat it: it's going to be extremely close. Several lawmakers still haven't decided which way they'll vote. If we're going to win their support, it's going to take the most rigorous lobbying and grassroots organizing program we've ever run. We have to mobilize tens of thousands of supporters to take action in key districts across the state."
Hawaii enacted civil union legislation in 2012.
"It's time for marriage equity to take place, and it's also time to recognize that it can take place without violating the religious principals of anybody in this state," Abercrombie said during his announcement at the State Capitol.
The special session will begin October 28, 2013, that's less than a week after Illinois lawmakers will meet for a veto session, which could include a vote on marriage equality in the House.
Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage. If marriage equality passes in Hawaii, same-sex marriage licenses and ceremonies will be effective November 18, 2013.
An announcement from Equality Hawaii board member Steven Levinson said, "Since this morning, we've counted the votes over and over again and I won't sugarcoat it: it's going to be extremely close. Several lawmakers still haven't decided which way they'll vote. If we're going to win their support, it's going to take the most rigorous lobbying and grassroots organizing program we've ever run. We have to mobilize tens of thousands of supporters to take action in key districts across the state."
Hawaii enacted civil union legislation in 2012.