Hawaii is one step closer to legalizing same-sex marriage. On Wednesday, the Democratic-led Senate approved legislation to legalize gay marriage in the Aloha state, which is known as a popular wedding and honeymoon destination.
The 20-4 vote in favor of bill SB 1, the "Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013," overturned a voter-approved constitutional amendment banning gay matrimony.
The bill is expected to be approved by the state's House of Representatives, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 44-7, and signed by Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie, a stark proponent for gay rights, reports Reuters. This would make Hawaii the 15th state to make it legal for gay and lesbian couples to wed.
A House committee is expected to hold a hearing on the measure on Thursday.
Gov. Abercrombie, who served more than two decades in the U.S. House of Representatives before running for governor in 2010, signed a same-sex civil unions bill into law two years ago. However, his predecessor, Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, vetoed a civil unions bill in 2010.
Sen. Will Espero, a supporter of SB 1, explained how his position has evolved since voting no on civil unions. After reading from the Declaration of Independence, Hawaii News Now reports that Espero asked, "Isn't that what being in a lasting legal marriage with the person you love is all about?"
During her address in support of SB 1, Sen. Rosalyn Baker said, "equal rights delayed are equal rights denied." Later adding, "You can't let the majority decide on the rights of minorities, minorities never get their rights by popular vote," in response to calls to let the people decide.
The proposal exempts clergy and churches from having to perform same-sex marriages.
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