Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor (JDL) - chair: Hee, vice chair: Shimabukuro

Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 10:00 a,m. Conference Room 016

Testifier: Jean Aoki, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view SB232

The League of Women Voters strongly supports SB 232 Relating to Civil Union While The League of Women of the United States does not have a position on marriage, we do have a position against discrimination. Our position on equality of opportunity encompassing equal rights and equal access to Education, Employment and Housing applies to “all persons, regardless of their race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability.” We acknowledge that in categorizing people, sexual orientation is a valid, recognized category as much as race, gender, religion, and all the others. LWV Hawaii sees the civil union issue as a civil rights issue,. We also understand the need of every human being for a close intimate relationship with another human being. Our laws should recognize that, and bestow all couples, regardless of their sexual orientation, the same legal benefits and rights. Last year, both houses passed bill HB 444 which was vetoed by the Governor. We feel that this is the year for such a bill. Equality Hawaii has stated that “Equal rights for same-sex couples and their families is the civil rights issue of this generation.” We fully agree. The same civil rights for everyone should have no opposition. Not in Hawaii Thank you for hearing SB 232, and we urge you to enact it as law.