A constitutional amendment passed in 1998 gave Hawaii's legislature the power to define marriage which currently only applies to heterosexual couples. But Senator Sam Slom, Hawaii's only Republican state Senator, says that could soon be changing.
Same-sex marriage proposals are introduced every year and have always failed, but Senator Slom believes Senate Bill 1369 has the support to pass this legislative session-- though he plans to vote against it.
"Same sex marriage probably will pass this year. You've got a preponderance of Democrats who support it in both Houses (44 out of 51 House Reps are Democrats, 24 out of 25 state Senators are Democrats), you've got the Congressional delegation, you've got our Governor!" said Senator Slom.
Senator Slom says he's voting against the bill because he has concerns about the rights of religious organizations who do not want to perform or recognize same-sex marriages.
"To me, I don't care if gay people want to get married but to force other people to do things or to subsidize certain activities-- that I oppose," said Senator Slom.
Senate Bill 1369 has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor. If it passes as written, same-sex couples could legally marry in Hawaii by January 2014
The evil forces at the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage are already panicking.
More at Hawaii News Now.
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