Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) To Retire

Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI) announced tonight that he will not run for reelection in 2012, making him the fifth Senate Democrat to declare their retirement at the end of the current term. Akaka was first appointed to the Senate in 1990 after Sen. Spark Matsunaga died of prostate cancer.

After months of thinking about my political future, I am announcing today that I have decided not to run for re-election in 2012. As many of you can imagine, it was a very difficult decision for me. However, I feel that the end of this Congress is the right time for me to step aside. It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the people of Hawaii. In 2006, the people of Hawaii gave me an opportunity to continue my service in the United States Senate and I fully intend to serve the last two years of my term in office.

I guess it's time for another look at the below worrisome map. Democrats have 23 Senate seats up for election in 2012, the GOP has only ten.

Big Week For LGBT Rights

HAWAII: Civil Unions Signing Ceremony

Towleroad points us to this clip of yesterday's civil unions signing ceremony in Hawaii. Gov. Neil Abercrombie makes a great speech that you should enjoy.

Hawaii Civil Unions Are Now Law

To the thunderous cheers of activists and allies, moments ago Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed his state's civil unions bill into law. As he signed his name, Abercrombie announced that the measure is "the essence of 'aloha'." I'll post video of the signing ceremony shortly.

HAWAII: Senate Approves Civil Unions!

The Hawaii Senate has just approved its civil unions bill!

The Senate voted 19-6 for the bill Friday, sending it to the state House of Representatives for additional consideration. Hawaii would become the sixth state to grant some of the rights of marriage to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself. A civil unions bill also passed the Illinois Legislature last month. Democrats, who control the Hawaii Legislature, have said they plan to approve the bill quickly this year and send it to new Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie for his signature. Abercrombie has said he supports civil unions.

Suck it, Tony Perkins!

Tony Perkins Calls On Hawaiians To Rise Up Against Proposed Civil Unions Bill

"Hawaiians are dealing with the same onslaught of bad bills they have become accustomed to in the last several years. A proposal to legalize civil unions, much like the one two years ago, barely passed its first big test in the Senate Judiciary Committee after almost three hours of debate. Like the 2009 fight, this one could hinge on how involved voters and churches are in defeating the legislation. People on both sides of the debate say a pro-marriage rally that drew 10,000 people was the turning point two years ago. Hundreds more showed up at the committee meeting and stayed until 3 a.m. After weeks of church phone calls and emails, the bill's sponsor killed the legislation herself. Let's hope history repeats itself! If you live in the islands, it's time to start making waves on marriage!"- Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, referencing 2009 but conveniently failing to mention that a civil unions bill actually passed in both Hawaiian chambers last year.

HAWAII: Governor Nominates Openly Gay Woman To State Supreme Court

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie has nominated an openly gay woman to the state Supreme Court. Sabrina McKenna, 53, has spent the last 17 years as a family court judge.

The governor said Tuesday that McKenna’s appointment had everything to do with her intelligence, temperament and legal knowledge and nothing to do with her sexuality. McKenna said she believes her sexual orientation is important to talk about. “I think the reason I am willing to have this interview is that I want the young people to know that it doesn't matter who you are,” McKenna said. McKenna's three children and partner Denise Yamashiro were in the governor’s office Tuesday as the governor nominated to the state’s highest court. “I don't think I ever would have imagined achieving this kind of honor in my life,” McKenna told reporters.

McKenna's confirmation hearing will coincide with the just-launched effort to pass civil unions in Hawaii, but legislators contacted for the above-linked story say that issue will not effect their assessment of her candidacy.

(Tipped by JMG reader Rick)

HAWAII: Civil Unions Bill Advances

Hawaii's civil unions bill yesterday squeaked out of committee and advanced for a vote by the full state Senate.

Senate Bill 232 passed the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee by a 3-2 vote, after a hearing that lasted just over two hours. The bill now goes to the Senate floor for the second of three required votes by the full chamber. Sen. Clayton Hee, committee chairman, sought to keep the hearing moving by limiting testifiers to 1 1/2 minutes each, saying he did not believe anything material could be added to the discussion.

The bill may be introduced in the Hawaii House as early as today.

Hawaii Lawmakers Debate Civil Unions

JMG reader Todd writes to tip us that the Hawaii Senate has just begun debating a civil unions bill. Newly-elected Gov. Neil Abercrombie has promised to sign the bill, should it reach his desk. Last year both chambers of the Hawaiian legislature approved a civil unions bill, only to have it vetoed by then-Gov. Linda Lingle. Story developing...

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie To Birthers: STFU, I Was There When Obama Was Born

Newly elected Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) says that now that he's in charge, he's going to institute changes that allow his state to release birth documentation on President Obama without violating medical confidentiality laws. Abercrombie is quite certain the birth took place in his state because he was friends with Obama's parents before the future president was born.

"It's an insult to his mother and to his father, and I knew his mother and father; they were my friends, and I have an emotional interest in that," Abercrombie told the Times. "It's an emotional insult. It is disrespectful to the president; it is disrespectful to the office." Abercombie was quoted by the Chicago Tribune as saying, "What bothers me is that some people who should know better are trying to use this for political reasons," he said. "Maybe I'm the only one in the country that could look you right in the eye right now and tell you, 'I was here when that baby was born.'"

Politico warns that Abercrombie's move could only fuel birther claims of a conspiracy by Democrats.

HAWAII: Gay-Friendly Democrat Neil Abercrombie Wins Gubernatorial Race

Gay-friendly former Rep. Neil Abercrombie has won Hawaii's gubernatorial race over GOP candidate Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, who infamously rallied with the red-shirted Christianists during the battle for civil unions. That fight was won in the state legislature, but outgoing (closet case) Gov. Linda Lingle sided with hate and vetoed the bill. While in Congress, Abercrombie earned a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign, meaning we now have a real advocate in governor's seat in Hawaii. Now we'll have to see if Hawaii's legislature is willing to go through that incredibly ugly battle one more time.

HAWAII: Christianist Group Fined $20,000 For Excessive Anti-Gay Lobbying

Not a huge amount, but satisfying nonetheless.

Hawaii Family Forum, a Christian charity that helped lead the fight against civil unions, spent so much money politicking last year that it had to pay the IRS $20,741 in taxes for its "excessive lobbying," according to its latest tax return. The nonprofit group reported spending $125,695 on lobbying last year, a huge jump over the zero dollars it said it spent on lobbying in 2008. The change comes after at least two complaints were filed with the Internal Revenue Service about the forum's extensive political activities. "This tax form just confirms what we had suspected, and that is that they engaged in excessive lobbying, that they have no charitable programs, that they are 100 percent a lobbying organization," said Holly Huber, who filed a complaint with the IRS in June on behalf of Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church. "They should not be a tax-exempt nonprofit charitable organization. They are a political action group."

But why haven't they been busted for lying in 2008?

In 2008, its tax return reported no lobbying expenses. Its "End of Session Report" to members, however, said: "2008 was a very successful legislative session for the Hawaii Family Forum." It listed 19 bills along with copies of the forum's testimony.

ACLU & Lambda Legal Sue Hawaii

On behalf of six local couples, the ACLU and Lambda Legal are filing suit against the state of Hawaii today in a demand for equal rights.

The lawsuit doesn't seek the titles of "marriage" or "civil unions" for gay partners. Instead, it requests that the court system extend them the benefits and responsibilities of marriage based on the Hawaii Constitution's prohibition against sex discrimination. "We continue to be discriminated against," said plaintiff Suzanne King, who has been in a relationship with her partner for 29 years. "We're a family unit, and we live our lives just like everyone else, but we aren't treated the same." The legal action in state court comes as a response to the Republican governor's veto July 6, when she said voters should decide whether to reserve marriage for couples of a man and a woman

The chairman of the Hawaii Christian Coalition objects: "I feel insulted. They keep bringing up Martin Luther King, black rights and women's sufferage. This is not about that. This is about two males or two females practicing sex. It's behavior. It's no different from smokers or drinkers."

Sean Chapin On Gov. Lingle

Another interesting entry by JMG reader Sean Chapin.

HAWAII: Gov. Linda Lingle Compares Same-Sex Marriage To Incest

"For those people who want to makes this into a civil rights issue, and of course those in favor of the bill, they see it as a civil rights issue. And I understand them drawing that conclusion. But people on the other side would point out, well, we don’t allow other people to marry even — it’s not a civil right for them. First cousins couldn’t marry, or a brother and a sister and that sort of thing. So there are restrictions, not to put it in the exact same category. But the bottom line is, it really can’t be a civil right if we are restricting it in other cases, and it’s been found to be legal in those other cases, that the restrictions." - Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle comparing same-sex marriage to incest. And Lingle is wrong, first cousins can get married in Hawaii.

The Hunt For Lingle's Lady Friends Is ON

JMG reader Josh writes:

I thought your readers might just love this photo of us with Governor Lingle, taken at the Kailua Independence Day parade (held on July 5). This photo was taken just 24 hours before Governor Lingle vetoed the civil unions bill, and at the Independence Day parade, no less. The Governor spent 15 minutes posing for photos with a dozen representatives of PFLAG-Oahu, and treating us like human beings, even though she had decided a week ago to veto the civil rights bill and to call for a statwide vote on whether we should have relationship recognition. This is the new face of evil. Love the smile--she must be "comfortable" with her decision, all right.

Meanwhile the emails have been flying between highly-placed activists today as the hunt for any "lady friends" of the twice-divorced and gaydar-pinging Gov. Lingle heats up. Please email me with any tips or clues at JoeMyGod@gmail.com.

Lingle's term ends in December and her successor may be nutjob Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, seen below being "annointed in the Lord" at a Christianist voodoo ceremony in which they pledge to "break every weapon of the enemy."

HAWAII: Bigots Celebrate Bigotry

VIDEO: Bigotry In Action

BREAKING: NO Civil Unions For Hawaii

Calling it "marriage by another name," Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle has just announced that she will VETO her state's civil unions bill. Adding insult to her bigotry, invited to the announcement was the now-retired Hawaii Supreme Court Justice who first got the state's marriage equality ball rolling in 1993.

Justice Steven H. Levinson's 1993 opinion stated that laws prohibiting same-sex couples the right to marry violated equal protection rights unless the state could show a "compelling reason" for such discrimination. Seventeen years, a Constitutional amendment and many battles later, Levinson, now retired, is among those who were invited to the governor's office to witness her announce her decision on House Bill 444 later today, he told Civil Beat this morning.

Anti-gay groups such as the Catholic nutters Tradition, Values, and Property held vigil outside the state house, saying the rosary in the hopes of warding off gay voodoo. Another group circled the state house seven times, blowing on a shofar. The Maui Time prepared the below two possible covers for tomorrow in advance of Lingle's announcement. Now we know which one goes to press.TAKE ACTION

Hawaii Chamber of Commerce - 808-545-4300

Hawaii Visitors & Conventions Bureau - 800-464-2924



UPDATE: The ACLU and Lambda Legal have announced plans to sue Hawaii.

Lambda Legal and the ACLU had readied a lawsuit after the House tabled HB 444 in January. The Hawai'i Senate had previously approved the bill by a veto-proof 18 to 7 majority and sent it back to the House for a conforming vote. "We're obviously disappointed that Governor Lingle has, once again, used her power to deny the people of Hawai'i their civil rights" said Laurie Temple, Staff Attorney for the ACLU. "Luckily for the people of Hawai'i, however, our constitution prevents discrimination based on sexual orientation. If the Governor won't honor her oath to uphold the constitution, the courts will."

MORE REACTIONS



Equality Hawaii:

“Today is a sad day for the thousands of Hawaii families who remain second class citizens,” said Alan Spector, legislative affairs co-chair for Equality Hawaii. “We fail to see how the Governor’s actions are in the best interest of Hawaii’s future and are nothing more than political maneuvering at the expense of people’s lives. We’re disappointed and outraged that same-sex families will not be treated equally under Hawaii law, but vow to come back and fight this fight another day.”

Human Rights Campaign:

“Americans nationwide share in the disappointment and outrage of thousands of Hawaii’s families who will not receive equal treatment under law,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign. “Thankfully, there are local advocates as well as leaders in the Hawaii legislature who will continue to further the cause of equality. For decades, we have been a loyal partner in this fight for fairness in the Aloha State and we pledge to stand with them for years to come.”

Pride Alliance Hawaii:

“The members of Pride Alliance Hawaii are greatly disappointed in Governor Lingle's decision to veto the Civil Unions bill and allow the state to continue its discriminatory practices against same-sex couples,” said Tara O’Neill, President of Pride Alliance Hawaii. “Two separate and independent economic studies, a poll conducted by a nationally recognized polling organization, and the thousands of residents who vocalized their support of the bill to the Governor and the Legislature over the past two years makes clear that the passage of HB444 is good economic sense, is socially just, and is supported by the people of Hawaii. The LGBT community's fight for equality in Hawaii will continue.”

National Gay & Lesbian Task Force:

“Governor Lingle’s veto of legislation that would protect and strengthen Hawaii’s families is beyond a disappointment: It is a disgrace. Hawaii’s lawmakers passed this bill because it was about fundamental fairness. The governor’s action today flies in the face of both common sense and common humanity. We urge the Hawaii Legislature to override this veto.”

P-FLAG Oahu:

“Today, on July 6, 2010, Gov. Linda Lingle denied social justice when she vetoed HB444 for Civil Unions,” said Rev. Carolyn M. Golojuch, President of PFLAG-Oahu. “Her denial is a violation of the integrity of her office and a violation of her oath of office. Governor Lingle’s denial of equal rights, benefits and protections for one segment of our citizens is a denial for all of our citizens of Hawaii.”

HAWAII: Decision Day For Civil Unions

Today is the deadline for Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle to announce whether she'll veto her state's pending civil unions bill or allow it to become law without her signature. Yesterday Lingle remained coy about her decision: "I really thought about this more than I have thought about any other piece of legislation. It is a subject that has really touched the hearts and minds of everyone in Hawaii." LGBT advocates and Christianist extremists say they will be Hawaii's state house all day today to await the decision. Hawaii's business day begins at 3PM EDT.