Hawaii's Congressional delegation on Friday called on state
lawmakers to approve a stalled gay marriage bill.
Hawaii is one of four states which recognize gay and lesbian
couples with civil unions. The other three are Illinois, New Jersey
and Colorado. An effort to legalize marriage for gay couples in
Hawaii stalled in February after the House Judiciary Committee failed
to schedule a hearing on a proposed marriage bill.
In a statement released through Hawaii
United for Marriage, U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz
and U.S. Representatives Colleen Hanabusa and Tulsi Gabbard called on
state lawmakers to “get this done.”
“We're on the brink of getting marriage equality in Hawaii and
same-sex couples shouldn't have to wait any longer for this
fundamental civil right. Let's get this done,” Hirono said.
“Equality goes hand-in-hand with Hawaii's values and with what
the majority of Americans hope to achieve,” Schatz said. “Our
country took an important step towards achieving marriage equality,
and now it's time for Hawaii to step up and allow same-sex couples to
marry. I urge the Hawaii State Legislature to do what's right and
make marriage equality a reality.”
“I encourage Governor [Neil] Abercrombie and our state
legislators to prove their determination by swift, decisive action,”
Hanabusa said.
Gabbard added: “As long as government is involved in the
marriage business, it must treat all Americans as equal.”
As a result of a Supreme Court ruling in June, the federal
government recognizes for the purpose of benefits gay couples in a
marriage, but not those in a civil union.
(Related: Majority
support for gay marriage in Hawaii.)