Hawaii’s Gov. Lingle claims Civil Union veto not based on her personal anti-gay marriage beliefs
I have been open and consistent in my opposition to same gender marriage and find that HB 444 is essentially marriage by another name. However, I want to be clear that my personal opinion is not the basis for my decision against allowing this legislation to become law. Neither is my veto based on my religious beliefs or on the political impact it might have on me or anyone else of either political party in some future election.
I am vetoing this bill because I have become convinced that this issue is of such significant societal importance that it deserves to be decided directly by all the people of Hawaii….
There has not been a bill I have contemplated more or an issue I have thought more deeply about during my nearly eight years as governor than HB 444 and the institution of marriage….
Few could be unmoved by the poignant story told to me in my office by a young, Big Island man who recounted the journey he had taken to bring himself to tell his very traditional parents that he was gay. I was similarly touched by the mother who in the same office expressed anguish at the prospect of the public schools teaching her children that a same gender marriage was equivalent to their mother and father’s marriage….
This is a decision that should not be made by one person sitting in her office or by members of the Majority Party behind closed doors in a legislative caucus, but by all the people of Hawaii behind the curtain of the voting booth.
Portions of a statement from Linda Lingle, the Republican Governor of Hawaii, who has opted to veto an important bill that would have created civil unions for gay male and lesbian couples. It appears likely, based on statements made by those planning to run for Governor, that if the issue comes up again in the future, it will be put a popular vote, possibly resulting in a change to the state’s Constitution. During the 1990s a long battle of same-sex marriages began and ended with a disappointing decision by voters in favor of marraiges being reserved for male-female couples. (Hawaii.gov)
”Today was the first time a civil unions bill passed both Houses in Hawaii by solid margins and was on the Governor’s desk for signing… With such broad support from the legislators, who are the elected officials closest to the public, and the consistent results of the professional polls showing broad support for civil unions as a civil rights issue, we are deeply disappointed that the Governor ignored the will of the people and vetoed the bill.”
Jo-Ann Adams, of the GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, reacting to Governor Lingle’s veto of a civil union bill. (CNN)
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
