Hawaii Celebrates First Civil Unions
By Chad Blair 01/01/2012
The long fight is finally over.
Four Hawaii same-sex couples celebrated civil unions just after midnight Sunday at a party in east Honolulu. The festivities were marked by a proclamation from Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, a stark contrast from an event less than two years ago at the state Capitol when then-Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a civil unions bill at a public ceremony.
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Now, after a struggle that began two decades ago, same-sex couples (and heterosexuals, should they choose) can enter into civil unions and enjoy many of the same legal rights and privileges as married couples.
Lingle couldn't stop it. Nor could Mike Gabbard, the Hawaii Family Forum, the Hawaii Christian Coalition, the Hawaii Business Roundtable, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu and — in just the last few days — a federal lawsuit.
http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2012/01/01/14413-hawaii-celebrates-first-civil-unions/
There is a flickr slideshow at the link. 