HRC Blog

Equality is heating up Hawai’i

January 23, 2009

By Tony Wagner, Regional Field Director: Wow! Things are heating up so much in the Aloha state I can feel the momentum all the way in DC. And HRC is doing its part to advance equality in the state. On Saturday, January 10^th the Family Equality Coalition (FEC) held its first membership meeting. Cleve Jones, Harvey Milk’s advisor, was on hand to talk about the past and look forward for a brighter future. HRC emailed thousands of its members and supporters in Hawai’i about the event and this new state group, encouraging them to get involved and attend. More than 150 people showed up to learn about advancing equality in the state. For more about this event, visit the Star Bulletin or KGMB TV. Then, last Wednesday (1/21), HRC and FEC members were on hand to meet with legislators as the state legislature convened for the 2009 session. Civil unions and marriage equality legislation will be introduced in the Hawai’i Legislature this month. While some supporters of equality were meeting with legislators, even more were responding to an HRC action alert by sending e-mail messages to their legislators encouraging them to support these important pieces of pro-equality legislation. Currently, the civil unions bill enjoys significant support among the legislators and the marriage bill’s support grows by the day. Hopes are high in the Aloha State that we’ll be able to advance equality for all of Hawaii’s residents this year.