Hawaii State Rep. K. Mark Takai, a
Democrat, has announced his support for a gay marriage bill.
Last month, Democratic Governor Neil
Abercrombie called a special session to consider the proposed
legislation, setting up the possibility that Hawaii could become the
14th state to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry by
November 1.
The session, expected to last 5 days,
is scheduled to begin October 28.
Hawaii currently recognizes the
relationships of gay couples with civil unions, legislation Takai
opposed in 2011.
“There have been few issues that I
have grappled with more than same sex marriage in Hawaii,” Takai
said in a statement given to the Hawaii
Reporter. “I have wrestled with my thoughts, my values, my
faith and what I believe to be the best way forward. The world has
changed – and so have I.”
“There are no good reasons to
continue to prevent every Hawaii resident from exercising his or her
right to marry the person he or she loves.”
He concluded: “It's time that laws in
Hawaii reflect the Aloha spirit and I will join with the majority in
the State House to pass the marriage equality bill.”