Date: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 12:32:34 -1000
From: ramsey@math.hawaii.edu

			MARRIAGE PROJECT, FEB. 20

	Basically, there is chaos at the legislature this year.  They're
struggling with a difficult budget and the gambling issue.  Also, there
are many new legislators who are slowing down the process.  Speaker Joe
Souki has just suspended the 48-hr rule for hearing notices in the House.
It is probably fortunate that our issue is NOT one of their prime concerns.

	We have additional evidence that the legislature will confine itself
to passing SB 888.  SB 888 renews the commission on sexual orientation and
law, and changes its composition.  It is increasingly likely that there will
be NO other hearings on the other bills related to same-gender marriage.

	Apparently, Honolulu businessman McGivern has a big ad in this 
morning's Advertiser attacking domestic partnerships as costing business.
I heard about it on KHPR (public radio), together with a response by Dan Foley.

	The Marriage Project has paid the Out and About Team to produce
a 15-minute video for public distribution.  If you're willing to show the
video to friends, legislators, etc., please contact the Marriage Project.

	Mark Breda is heading up a media committee for the marriage project.
The scope of action is severely limited by our budget for this (close to
zero!) and the realities of prejudice (most prejudice changes on a generational
time scale).  However, we've been fortunate in obtaining free media (e.g.,
Dan Foley on KHPR).  If reducing prejudice against gays and lesbians is a long,
long, long-term interest of yours, please think about joining the media
committee.  This is one aspect of the marriage project which will likely
become fully integrated into other community organizations long after the
marriage case is decided in the courts.  Right now the committee is making
baby steps:  a standard press packet and press releases.  We are very far
from "focus group" analysis of attitudes toward gays and lesbians, market
analyses of the audiences for various media, etc.

	The prospect of gay marriages is stirring political debate on the
mainland.  South Dakota and Utah are considering bans on same-sex marriage;
there have been notices posted to the email networks on whom to fax, etc.

	Mel White, the MCC minister who once wrote for Pat Robertson and
like-minded folks, is fasting in jail in Virginia Beach, VA.  He tried to
meet with Robertson to discuss the evil caused by the homophobia of the 
radical right; Robertson refuses to meet with White and White was arrested
for refusing to leave Robertson's offices.  White needs letters and phone
calls in jail:
    Rev. Mel White
    c/o Virginia Beach Municipal Jail
    2501 James Madison Blvd.
    Virginia Beach, VA 23462.


	This message is focused on news for Hawaii residents.  Neverthe-
less, it may be freely distributed and copied.


					Aloha!

					Tom Ramsey
					Secretary, HERMP Steering Committee