Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 20:19:25 -1000 From: lambda@aloha.net (Martin Rice) Subject: Hawai`i Action Alerts, Information & Updates #13 Aloha ahi ahi kakou. I want to thank all of the people that have sent kind and encouraging personal messages. However, I have gathered those posts that are directed towards the community team effort and presented them here. I may have posted the newsclippings that kept everyone informed, but there would be nothing to post if not for a solid core of dedicated and hard-working people in Honolulu who sacrifice alot in the name of equality for our community. UPLIFTING POSTS: Some of the best VINNIE LINARES RICHARD BEILKE ANTHONY SULLIVAN MATTHEW NAME R.W. SMITH DEIAN MCBRYDE REVEREND LYRICA MOONDAWN STUART TART, and response from CHRIS FOX and TIM PIERCE CHARLES GREEN & KOJI DOI VIDEO RON ROBERT SUMMERSGILL ROD SWIFT BILL WOODS UNCLE WARD, 2X ROGER SORRELL JOHN SOBIESKI DREW FERGUSON SKIP BURNS FRANK BENDT EVAN WOLFSON PRNEWS WIRE via REX WOCKNER, DOUG CASE & THE FENCEBERRYS JED MATTES <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> VINNIE LINARES: One can win the battle and lose the war, or consider the first major skirmish a path to eventual victory--which I believe this whole incident has done--there are now benefit rights, and the court case to come is even further more defined. The next step is to campiagn so that the Hawai`i constitution does not seperate out any group. The argument now is that if this happends, it can happen to anyone!!!!!! I am not defeated today but glad the first major hurdle is over with more rights given gays and lesbians becuase of it than before it started!!!!!! Vincent Ryan Linares Kahului, Maui, Hawai`i <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> RICHARD BEILKE: ALOHA -- AN OPEN LETTER TO HAWAIIAN HOMOSEXUALS: How clever of the Hawaii State Legislative Conferees to split the gay community into two factions -- one that desires to marry and the other that desires domestic partnerships ("reciprocal beneficiaries"). Divide and conquer has always been an effective maneuver for breaking a deadlock. I would only ask that Hawaiian lesbians and gays ask themselves the tough question, "Are you served best by allowing heterosexual supremacists to have the victory over your equal rights with their proposed constitutional amendment to ban you from the legal marriage of your choice?" Only one hope remains at this point for gay marriage to survive the legislative maneuvering. First, the potential for destruction of our dream for the right to marry as Hawaiian or other American Citizens must be dramatized by labeling suprmacists for who they are -- even if it is the entire legislature and 70% of the state population. Such a surprise tactic must be mounted NOW to throw the whole debate into a tizzy again before the constitutional amendment is a done deal that cannot be undone. The truth is we are gay and always will be gay and this is a critical test of our resolve to disrupt -- when necessary -- business as usual. Second, Hawaiian gays and lesbians must repudiate the reciprocal beneficiaries bills NOW, not because they are undesirable but because they are being used as a diversion tactic to take your minds off the injustice of being denied the right to choose who you wish to marry. You must do this because there is absolutely no possibility for gay people to marry emerging anywhere else in the United States. This is a special and sacred privilege and burden that only you, our gay and lesbian patriots and stalwart friends in Hawaii, can do for all Americans! This tactic, too, has the advantage of catching the legislature off guard just as it tries to come to closure by Friday. You must regain control of this situation, even if it can only be done by creating chaos. When outnumbered, surprise is the best tactic! I am in solidarity with you. I would encourage all other mainlanders to send messages of solidarity to our sisters and brothers in Hawaii NOW. Your Kentucky brother, Richard Beilke "Married" for Over 17 Years to a Wonderful Man! Soon to Be a Groom with My Wonderful Man (in Hawaii)! <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ANTHONY SULLIVAN: >I lost respect for representative government years ago.. > >Keep up the good work. I know how frustrating it can be. I have a deep >respect for your dedication. The results of your personal commitment will >extend in their influence far further than you at this time probably >realize.. You have sent the historical record to a multitude of places >thus protecting it from revisionism. Too much of previous Lesbian and Gay >history was poorly recorded and as a result it has been modified and in >some cases radically altered to fit some politically ambitious person's >or persons' agenda. > >I also know how draining it can be to give such dedication as you do. It >is most important that you and your colleagues put aside time for >yourselves for nurturing and recharging. Burn out is a horrible and >destructive experience and is too high a price to pay for anything. When >you feel down and disillusioned remember that there are many who are so >grateful for what you are doing. > >Anthony Sullivan <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> MATTHEW NAME: >I have a question that I am hoping to get some feedback. I am thinking about trying to organize a Law suit to my federal and state government in order to reclaim a partial refund. I am only granted 2nd class citizenship but am paying 1st class taxes. In a court of law, in theory, it could work! I couldn't join the reserves to help pay for school, or to get any of those education perks. Now latter in life I can't get married, which is a perk so vast and far reaching into our legal system it is almost impossible to figure, the dollar amounts. Also this type of discrimination destroys lives on a quality level (self esteem, which often leads to drug addiction, suicide). > >Would anyone be interested in a group action? Are there any lawyers that would do it pro-bono? > >Matthew Name > >http://www.nycnet.com/~name >mjname@mail.nycnet.com <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> R.W. SMITH: I agree Martin...we don't stand a chance if we don't take the intitiative to represent our own issues...inside Government...not as lobbiests. In Alberta, we have created within the New Democrat Party a Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Caucus (LGB) with a distinct voice and vote in policy development. No we are not government, and though we did serve as Official Opposition to the Provincial Government, we are recently back into the House with two representatives (out of 83). The fact is that there is a political forum for gays and lesbians in our Province...and this the heart of Western Canadian Homophobia. It is time we, all of us, lobby the very parties that we allign ourselves to for recogition and a voice at their policy tables. I refuse to look at any of the unfortunate turns as defeats...we are undergoing some set-back...but we have retained our ability to regroup and to come at it from another front. email: rwsmith@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> DEIAN MCBRYDE: I've been following the situation in Hawaii through the postings, news stories, and anecdotes of friends involved in the effort. I haven't written you all before, but your last posting (to queer-planet) got my attention especially. I want to encourage you. What you and others are doing in Hawaii is very important. The outcome of the recent legislative battle is a ballot... a chance to take this to the voters. Not a total loss, not yet. You are so right when you say that we must represent ourselves. Now we can move beyond legislative deal making and negotiating and instead appeal to the public. The other side is clearly trying to shape reciprocal beneficiaries in a way that allows some appearance of tolerance (across a wide swath of the population, not just gays and lesbians), but at the end of the day, the question that must be given to Hawaiians is this, "Do you support discrimination against gays and lesbians?" and the follow up, "If gays and lesbians are easily cast aside, what protects you?" Here's the irony... by hoping to defeat us, the far right has agreed in state after state, in local governments and private corporations, to give us more access and benefits as domestic partners than we could have dreamed 10 or even 5 years ago. This is what the Hawaii debate has done across the country. We may not win marrige now, but we are firmly in the nation's consciousness. We are everywhere -- the genie is out of the bottle. NONE of this would have been as dramatic if it were not for Hawaii, its lovely, ambiguous constitution and the activists who have pushed this issue to the front. This is a good thing. You are doing great work. Tell everyone involved that you must be encouraged. Across America, people who believe in freedom and liberty support you. Best wishes, Deian McBryde - NYC <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> REVERENED LYRICA MOONDAWN: I just HAVE to ROFL at that one. I happen to have met and known Jay back in 1990. He is a fascinating person, and a fairly nice one. Of course he had no idea i was gay or pagan at the time. I can just imagine how HE must feel having to argue for the 'wrong' side. hugs, Reverend Lyrica MoonDawn- Reiki Master -Madonna of Willendorf <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> STUART TART, with responses from CHRIS FOX and TIM PIERCE: > If we actually have Hawaii's Religious Right asking state >legislators to offer us state health insurance benefits and other >"reciprocal beneficiary" benefits, don't you think we should take them up >on it while we have them 'on the ropes'? > I'm not saying, accept H.B. 117 yet. I'm simply saying that if >passage of H.B. 117 becomes certain, we should grab what we can while the >Right feels compelled to support it. > Let's not come away from the table with nothing! <><><><><> As the guy who lectured about "half a loaf," I'm going to reverse myself on this one and say let's hold out for the Big Prize. Compared to what we want, we're being tossed a bone. I want the whole pan-fried fish. I say we stick to our guns, and hold out for marriage. It'll not only show we mean business, but it will inculcate the whole gay community with some higher aspiration than more and bigger dicks. If we can marry, then we can think in terms of real, lasting relationships instead of sleaze. Yeah, they're on the ropes. Keep squeezing. Chris Fox <><><><><> I could not agree more. The crumb that has been `offered' to us is only evidence of how terrified they are. Despite the setback that an amendment may actually be proposed, there is every sign in the world that we have the upper hand now. WE CANNOT TURN BACK! I am (slightly) involved at the moment with a fundraising effort for the Equality Project, and would recommend that everyone on the list consider doing the same. Now more than ever it is important for us to keep our eyes on the prize. [Tim Pierce] <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> CHARLES GREEN & KOJI DOI: My partner of ten years and I live in Japan, because of course we do not have equal immigration rights. Though it will be many years after a successful marriage case in Hawaii before we will have equal immigration rights (hopefully within our lifetimes!), the work you are doing is of enormous benefit to us and other binational couples. As, of course, it is to the gay community as a whole--in so many ways that have not even been fully addressed of yet. Thank you for your energy, articulateness, and dedication. Do know that you are indeed doing something very historically important that is appreciated by many--and will be by many more in the future. Charles Green (& Koji Doi) Osaka, Japan <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> VIDEO RON: Hawaiian brothers and sisters: I just wanted to let you know that my lover of 10 years and I will be on the first plane to Hawaii, if and when the "window of opportunity" for same-sex marriage opens. I'm sure that the flood of couples coming to Hawaii to marry will be UNPRECENTED in Hawaii's history and the citizens there will see what beautiful people we all are and how much it helps their economy. I don't know what they charge for a marriage license, but say at $25.00 the state could make MILLIONS of dollars in unexpected income and the associated tourist revenue will blow their sox off. Money's a bit tight right now, but I'd take out a second mortgage for the opportunity to marry the person of my choice. BTW, what do heterosexuals think marriage is anyway? The right to marry the person you love and want to be with, or the right to marry someone of the opposite sex, approved of by the government, with whom to breed babies for the military-industrial machine? Hang in there gay folks in Hawaii, the rest of the world is watching, and our love and admiration is yours. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> BOB SUMMERSGILL: Despite the apparent loss, good job on this fight! Worst case you are in a far better place than every other state, and there are still numerous court challenges that will be coming for many years. This was a just one battle in a long fight. Compare it to the battle of Bunker (Breeds) Hill in the American Revolution. The British Commander said "we cannot afford wins like this." Start taking lessons from our friends in Oregon who beat down their anti-Gay amendment. This could still be close, and I'm confident that it will ultimately be found unconstitutional as well. How said for the people who actually value marriage that the Reciprocial benefits must eventually include all the benefits of marriage--or the AMedmnet will be found unconstitutional--thus weakening the need for heterosexual couples to actually marry. The real battle has almost nothing to do with us, it is between those who think marriage is important and those who feel that heterosexual supremism is important. I suspect that idea may be too complicated for the voters though. Good luck to you! Bob Summersgill, publisher of the New Mexico Rainbow, The newspaper for the Lesbian and Gay communities of New Mexico. summers@rt66.com http://rt66.com/summers/bob.html "Marriage has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men." --Loving v. Virginia (1967) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ROD SWIFT: I would like the opinion of others... Doesn't this feel exactly the same as the US Congress's DOMA passage, ENDA *non*-passage trade off? What does the House have to hide in wanting to vote for both measures at the same time? Is it to *deny* the reciprocal benefits package after they have got the Senate's approval for the constitutional amendment? Am I the only one who doesn't trust Souki and Terrence "F**k you! F**k you! F**k You!" Tom? Rod <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> BILL WOODS: Aloha Folks, I am planning to contribute to Chumbley. Am now in process of determining what proportion of civil rights I have with my relationship over his rights with his relationship. I will then send the amount of my proportion of his fundraising tickets as a token of the token value I have with him. The remainder of the fundraising ticket base price will be contributed to GLEA Foundation to help in the amendment battle that he has forced me and Gay rights supporters to support and fund. do good folks - remember prepared to contribute to the fight of the century when fundraising requests come in. Bill [POSTER'S NOTE: the following was e-mailed from Bill Woods a few hours later. I pesonally think it's a bit premature, but I will agree it's an excellent idea if we get the short end of the stick because of the Senate's collapse of resolve. Please note that I will personally post the addresses of where contributions of $3.58 can be sent to Chumbley, Matsunaga, Metcalf and McCartney if this works against us.] Currently estimating proportional amount for Chumbley (and all the other stinkers at) 50 rights - 350 total according to some articles or 1/7th $25.00 = $3.58 - Rounded up to nearest partial cent. Always willing to give the benefit to the oppressor. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> UNCLE WARD: Aloha Friends -- I am writing from Hawaii where we have been having a roller-coaster ride of high hopes and bitter disappointment -- at the moment the prospects are greatly diminished although the excellent Day Foley, pressing our lawsuit is optimistic, many of us are not. However, given the history of this matter here there can be little doubt that this will change. We will be drawn up to another high and suffer another fall, more likely several, The court case is still before the Hawaii Supremes and we must be reminded once again that the battle is not over until the guy in the black dress sings I am hearing angry voices, mostly from the mainland, calling for a boycott of Hawaii, travel and products. These voices are, I fear, ill advised and are seriously over-reacting -- We are already being boycotted and threatened with further "action" from the religious Reich -- Not to forget, ---AND THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART --- that after all the shouting is over we WILL have a domestic partnership arrangement on a STATE level that is more than ANY of the other 49 have even considered. Admittedly it has put us at the back of the bus -- we have finally achieved Plessy v Furgeson -- it stinks BUT it is, nonetheless, progress. We are now recognized, for the FIRST TIME on a state level as a group of citizens whose situation has been rendered unequal by reason of irrational animus. With this, although we are still in the back of the bus we are at least ON the bus, we are n the game, our pieces have been deployed on the board and the whole thing now moves on, If there is boycotting to be done a more appropriate target might well be the remainder of the 49 states where the representatives voted for the iniquitous DOMA; where Gay and Lesbian citizens have grievances which are not even recognized. As for how to approach Hawaii (and most human institutions) praise, soft-soap, flattery and shibai (Hawaiian for bull-shit) will be the best approach and the most productive -- Here in Hawaii, I am absolutely convinced that mainlanders will catch more flies with honey than with vinegar -- We are under a constant rain of threatened boycotts from the Christian (right) -- I really believe that reminding local folks that it is by reason of their greatness of heart and understanding of the true aloha spirit and all like that we will move them the more effectively. Flattery and the attributions of goodness is the nearly universal fodder. Threats invite truculence. Finally, and this is the most important, we ARE WINNING the war, Jay Seculov and four more of Pat Robertson's legal team were here, the Catholic church and the Mormons were here and they, in effect, forced the enemies in state government to swallow the bitter pill of domestic partnership as the ONLY way to slow us down -- these are the same legislators who HATE us and have refused us ANY recognition of ANY sort. As for our friends in the legislature who were not as stalwart as we had wished; -- had they continued with unqualified support there is little doubt that they would have lost their offices and been replaced with candidates approved of by Mike Gabbard and Par Robertson. Uncle Ward <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> UNCLE WARD: Aloha Friends - I have copped Mark Breda's mailing list to send out a message ot all our friends -- I suspect that the battle was lost but feel little doubt that the war will go on and that we will finally be victorious, be recognized as citizens of the republic with ALL that this state entails. In the meantime, Carolyn Golojuch, bless her heart, is takng this rather badly -- she has just heard her elected representatives tell her that HER child is something less, less moral, less decent, less human, less of a citizen. The message does not sit well with her, how can one be surprised? Let me suggest that any who can think of one send her a creering, enspiriting note. gocarolyn@aol.com Uncle Ward <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> ROGER SORRELL: David and I want to add our deep feelings of gratitude for all the efforts that you've expended in so many ways during the time of the legislative issues. While it is so sad to see the losses, on the one hand, it is, on the other hand, indeed amazing to see fundamentalists arguing for an at this time unparalleled domestic partnership package. You deserve so much for your energy and efforts! I'm hoping before the end of the year we can see you again and give you a big bear hug! (We received an offer on our condo here today) Roger and David <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> JOHN SOBIESKI: Within 5 minutes after sending my letter on Apr 16, I received the following reply from Sen. McCartney. Thank you for your email. Just for the record: No one (House or Senate) is considering a bill to legalize same sex marriage. We are not going to pass or even consider a bill that legalizes same sex marriage. There are some in our state who are confusing the facts and misleading the public. Consequently, a lot of misinformation is being circulated. We will preserve traditional marriage AND provide a benefits package that ensures a degree of fairness for couples who cannot be legally married. The benefits package reflects our belief that ALL citizens of this state are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. It sounded pretty boiler plate to me and didn't sound very gay-friendly at all. Perhaps that's what you get when you have computers responding to automated mail. No one else on the original list sent a reply. I did, however, get a phone call from the Washington Post who wanted to include a quote from the letter. I think it was the part of changing my plane ticket to a one way ticket if they pass a partnership benefits package. The reporter seemed to be gay friendly because she said she had to call the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance to get my phone number. Since she didn't stumble over the words I thought it was a good sign. When I read the news on Thursday, all I could do was cry. I went to bed at 7 p.m. and slept soundly until six the next morning. As you said, we've lost a major battle, not the war. Now it's time to move on. As I understand the events, the wording of the vote before the people is that the legislature will have the right to define marriage. There is no obligation for the legislature to operate on that right. The earliest the election can take place is in November 1998. I assume it will pass the vote of heterosexual supremacists. Then the earliest the legislature could act on it, if they wish to do so would be in 1999. The Supreme Court has not yet decided to hear the appeal of Baehr. They may, albeit unlikely, refuse to hear the case because it has such a high profile. Assuming then that they do decide to hear the case, they will, in all likelihood, approve the decision of the lower court. The words I've heard is that the Supreme Court will probably hear the case in 1997 or early 1998. Again assuming they decide in favor of Baehr, the state would be required to issue marriage licenses immediately. What is the likelihood that someone can force the state to once again refrain from issuing licenses? If the state immediately issues licenses, there appears to be a window when same-sex marriage licenses will be guarantied. That window will be from the time the Supreme Court decides in favor of Baehr until the Legislature passes a law limiting marriage licenses to one man and one woman. I would expect there will be chartered planes for couples heading to the islands. Tourism will never have been so great. I'll be on one of the planes. During that period, I expect the lines at the county clerk's office, or where ever one goes to get a license, to be overwhelmed. There will be lines going out into the streets and around the blocks. The March on Washington can't compare to what's going to happen if there's any hint that the window of opportunity is threatened to be closed by the legislature. Thank you for keeping us so well informed. Have a great vacation on the really big island. While you're gone, think, "LINES AROUND THE BLOCK!!!" You've provided a wonderful service for us all and you deserve a break. Sincerely, John V. Sobieski, Dallas, Texas <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> DREW FERGUSON: Mr. Rice-- We've never spoken, we don't know each other, and I bet you get hundreds of letters a day, but I'd just like to say that all the work that you and everyone else has done in Hawaii has been greatly appreciated by a lot of us younger queers here in Chicago. I and a bunch of my friends have sent money to help defer some of the legal costs and if we weren't all finishing grad or undergrad work, we'd probably have sent more. Just wanted to drop you a short note to let you know that your courage and dedication are appreciated and to let you know that your efforts have a wide-ranging effect, evenif it isn't always noticable. I understand that you're very busy, so if you don't have the time to respon, no big deal... I just felt obligated to let you know that you're work is in our thoughts. Drew Ferguson <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> SKIP BURNS: My good friends, I just got back to the quiet of my country life on the big island from the constant motion of Oahu. I went to a Marriage Project meeting and went on down to the capitol building just in time for our "historic" conference committee decision. I have been moping around most of the day. Once upon a time this little gay man would probably have been excited to have our state even talk about giving us SOME rights, but I have been working for equal rights for so long that I am just not excited. It felt really bad sitting there last night listening the hypocrisy that was flying from both sides of the conference committee. At times it felt like I was being physically hit by their words. I talked to Dan Foley last night and he remains steadfastly optimistic and explained it like this. The proposed amendment would be on the November 1998 election and after that election should the amendment have passed the legislature would still have to pass a law banning same-gender marriage and the first opportunity would be in the 1999 session.. (The one on the books right now passed in 1994 is unconstitutional because there is not a constitutional amendment to support it.) Foley thinks that the supreme court will have ruled before then. So we may well have a window open to us for marriages with full benefits. I do believe that if many people are married in that window of opportunity, that to unmarry them and take back their rights will a brand new kind of battle and one that gives us what much firmer footing than we have had before. So, what do we do now? I am going to the beach. I am going to take care of me for a minute. I am going to take a few days off and not call any senators and not write any letters to the legislature. I am going to lick my temporary wounds and watch them heal and then..... I am going to get started. We need to strongly organize all of our islands and with each other by our sides we are going to use our hearts and our minds and all the kindness and energy we can muster .... and we are going to WIN... We will win for us and we will win for the new generations of young gay and lesbian children that are coming ... We need to do this now for their sakes ... as well as our own.. Aloha to you all and thank-you for your all your hard work and continuing support. Skip Burns Back on the big island. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> FRANK BENDT: Sorry to hear about the legislature, here in Denver we've kinda gotten used to the disappointment from the "representatives." But you listed some good things that have come from this, and you are absolutely right. OUr amendment 2 really fired up our gay community. Much of that steam has disappated, but there has been a real difference made in our local environment. I'm sure Hawaii has benefited by all of this. Frank <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> EVAN WOLFSON: Bravo, Martin. Got to keep people forward-looking and energized... much as you have remained through the ups and downs. Have you seen our talking points for activists on the latest from Hawaii (which I put together for mainland people and groups, with Dan, of course)? I'll reprint it below, along with our press release. Hang in there, and mahalo! Evan ______________________________ Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund FACT SHEET: Update on Hawaii Marriage Case Thursday, April 17, 1997 Hawaii legislators this week moved closer to sending a proposed constitutional amendment to voters for ratification in November 1998; at the same time, the legislature prepared to approve a "rights-and- benefits package" for unmarried couples that would take effect in July 1997. The proposed amendment would seek to give the legislature the power to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples, although it would not require the legislature to do so. If the amendment passes in 1998, the legislature would not be able to enact such a restriction on marriage before 1999. o Fighting for the freedom to marry compels even our worst enemies to recognize the reality and value of lesbian and gay families. o There is only state in the country now preparing to offer our families a broad range of protections no coincidence, that state is Hawaii. o The closer we get to full equality for lesbian and gay families and to winning the freedom to marry, the more concessions opponents throw at us in order to try to divert us and buy us off. o Pat Robertson and other religious extremists are so desperate to block civil rights for lesbians and gay men that they made historic and hypocritical concessions to our families in Hawaii, even while they oppose the very same protections and benefits in other states. o The mix of benefits we now have won in Hawaii is no substitute for full equality, and only fuels our fight. o Polls show that the public is very divided and resistant to amending the constitution to discriminate, including discrimination against equal marriage rights. We will urge Hawaii voters not to write "separate and unequal' into the state constitution in 1998. o This latest twist underscores the message to state legislators around the country that there is no reason to be pressured into rushing anti-marriage bills into law. o Meanwhile, our case, Baehr v. Miike, is fully on track, and we remain confident that this discrimination will end. Once lesbian and gay couples marry legally, people will see that the sky does not fall. Contact: Evan Wolfson, Lambda Marriage Project Director, 212-809-8585, ext. 205 Peg Byron, Lambda Public Education Director, 212-809-8585, ext. 230, 888-987-1984 (pager) Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. _______________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, April 17, 1997 Contact: Peg Byron 212-809-8585, ext. 230 888-987-1984 (pager) Evan Wolfson, 212-809-8585, ext. 205 Hawaii Marriage Case Proceeds After Historic Concessions by State Legislators Lambda vows to win freedom to marry for lesbian and gay couples (NEW YORK, April 17, 1997) Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund said Thursday that its Hawaii marriage case remains "fully on track" while state legislators prepare historic provisions for lesbian and gay couples in a deal to get a proposed constitutional amendment to voters 19 months from now. "Our case is fully on track, and the deal proposed in Hawaii only highlights what the courts already have said lesbian and gay families deserve broad protections and benefits," said Lambda Marriage Project Director Evan Wolfson, who, with Honolulu attorney Dan Foley, won December's landmark ruling in Baehr v. Miike . On behalf of three lesbian and gay couples seeking to marry, Lambda and Foley now are fighting the state's appeal, likely to be heard in coming months. Wolfson's comments followed Wednesday night deal-making by Hawaii legislators, who moved closer to sending a proposal to voters that seeks to give the legislature the power, but not mandate it, to restrict civil marriage to opposite-sex couples. If the amendment passes in November 1998, the legislature would not be able to enact such a restriction on marriage before 1999. Hawaii's highest court has said the state's constitution forbids discrimination based on sex and therefore cannot bar individuals of the same sex from civil marriage. Under pressure from right-wing groups, Hawaii legislators scrambled to reach agreement on the amendment proposal by preparing to approve separately the country's most sweeping "rights-and-benefits package" for couples who cannot marry. That package would take effect in July 1997. "Fighting for the freedom to marry compels even our worst enemies to recognize the value and needs of lesbian and gay families. But the mix of benefits we now have won in Hawaii is no substitute for full equality, and only fuels our fight," Wolfson said. Lambda Legal Director Beatrice Dohrn said, "Pat Robertson and other religious extremists are so desperate to block the freedom to marry for lesbians and gay men that they made historic concessions to our families in Hawaii, even while they hypocritically oppose the very same protections and benefits in other states." In Honolulu, Foley added, "We will urge Hawaii voters not to write separate and unequal' into the state constitution in 1998." Lambda is the oldest and largest legal organization defending the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV and AIDS. With a national headquarters in New York, Lambda has a Midwest Regional Office in Chicago, a Western Regional Office in Los Angeles, and later this year will open a Southern Regional Office in Atlanta. ### <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> REX WOCKNER, DOUG CASE and THE FENCEBERRYS clipping and posting: PRNewswire, Family Research Council: Hawaii Lawmakers Throw Away Moral Card in Deadly Game Over Homosexual `Marriage' Knight Calls Trade-Off Over Constitutional Amendment 'Bad Deal That Uses State Power to Legitimate Homosexuality' WASHINGTON, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Family Research Council issued the following: Faced with an impending state Supreme Court decision that would likely legalize same-sex "marriage," Hawaiian lawmakers have agreed to vote on a constitutional amendment to preserve marriage. The price of the agreement was passage out of committee of a "reciprocal beneficiaries" bill giving the state the power to force businesses to officially recognize homosexual relationships and provide family benefits to claimants. Upon final passage, the "beneficiaries" law would take effect July 1, 1997. The marriage amendment, however, would not be voted on by the people until November 1998. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that the state Supreme Court won't legalize "same-sex marriage." "Hawaiian lawmakers may feel they have no choice in the face of four liberal Senators who held the constitutional amendment hostage," said Robert Knight, Family Research Council' s Director of Cultural Studies. "But the compromise may prove worse than no bills at all. This is the beginning of demands by homosexual activists, not an end to them." The "reciprocal beneficiaries" bill allows state employees to designate anyone as a partner to receive family-style benefits, whether they live in the same household or not. Hawaiian taxpayers will pay the added costs. The bill also forces businesses to offer the benefits, although the added costs can be paid by the employee. "The effect is to force devout Christian, Jewish, and Muslim business owners -- and all Hawaiian taxpayers -- to legitimate homosexual behavior," Knight said. "Homosexual activists will not be content with this two-tiered system, and will lobby for more 'rights' up to and including the right to 'marry' same-sex partners. They will also intensify efforts in the mainland to impose mandatory 'domestic partnerships.' "The only good that may come from this is that it may buy time for the rest of the states to protect marriage and to strengthen the federal Defense of Marriage Act so that the insanity coursing through Hawaii won't ruin family law in the rest of the nation," Knight said. "If Hawaiian legislators feel they have sacrificed their state to save the rest of the nation, we owe them our thanks. But the Hawaiian people should be outraged." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> JED MATTES: Are we giving you any indication of how valuable you've been to all of us who have been concerned with the Hawaii gay marriage ordeal? I bet not. I realized that I've never written to thank you for all these months you've been there, our eyes and ears, sending us first-hand reports from the front lines. And now you're there experiencing the brutality of how we're getting screwed. These are battles, and batlles wear down the opposition. You should be gratified that through your efforts, so many of us are more appreciative of the issue and clearer in our resolve to start and keep the cause going throughout the country. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Jed Mattes <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> And I'm going to fix my husband dinner so that there will be a marriage once we win the war!! A hui hou, Martin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Go ahead . . . SCARE the horses." --Bacsi ~~~~~ Fred and Martin 24 years, yet strangers before the law ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~