Legislature passes civil unions bill

In a dramatic last-minute reversal, the state Legislature sent Gov. Linda Lingle a bill legalizing civil unions between any two consenting adults.

House Bill 444, written at the urging of the gay community, allows any adult couple the same rights and benefits the state provides to those who marry.

The House vote came yesterday evening after an afternoon spent in caucus and marked with procedural votes that showed supporters had a 31-vote majority with 20 opposed. Thirty-four votes are needed to override a veto.

When the final vote was tallied, again at 31-20, with two Republicans, Reps. Barbara Marumoto and Cynthia Thielen, joining the Democratic majority, the reaction from the packed House gallery was subdued. Supporters looked at each other; some cried.

Outside, they sang "We Shall Overcome" and hugged each other.

If Lingle signs the measure, Hawaii would be one of six states giving all the rights of marriage to same-sex couples, but without calling it marriage. She has not indicated whether she will sign or veto it.