Date: Sat, 2 Dec 95 10:45:53 HST
From: ramsey@math.hawaii.edu (Tom Ramsey)
Subject: HAWAII, DEC. 2

		COMMISSION TO MAKE FINAL DECISIONS

	Look for a Newsweek article this week on Hawaii's Commission on
Sexual Orientation and the Law, and perhaps two New York Times' articles
(one before the commission's meetings on Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 and one after).
During this Christmas season, please consider giving some HERMP T-shirts.
T-shirts and tank-tops may be ordered from HERMP-Kona at the address
listed in the postscript.

	The commission will vote Dec. 6 or Dec. 7 on the final draft of
its report, after hearing public testimony and reviewing public comments
on the draft report.  Behind the scenes, the commission has been working
harder than ever on the final version:  major changes were being
made as late as Wednesday Nov. 29 (the minority report burgeoned to
be larger than the majority report) and Thursday Nov. 30 (the majority
took umbrage at the "minor" editorial changes submitted the previous
day).  Of course, the public is commenting on the Nov. 27 draft of the
report.  The core recommendation remains the same:  by a vote of 5 to 2,
the commission recommends that the legislature accept same-gender marriage.

	The opposition is not resting.  Long time Democratic Party activist
and former national Democratic Party Committeewoman, Linda Rosehill, has
been hired by Mormons "associated with Brigham Young University-Hawaii" to
oppose the commission's recommendation in the Legislature.  Rosehill is a
major player in state politics, and generally liberal.  

	There is deep irony in a liberal Democrat and a woman opposing the
implications of the Baehr v. Lewin case.  WHATEVER happens with same-gender
marriage, Baehr v. Lewin is a major victory for women.  Hawaii's Supreme
Court, for the first time anywhere, has ruled that sex discrimination is
subject to the same scrutiny as racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination.

	Rosehill's attitude is not unique.  Mary Jane McMurdo, Democratic
representative from Waikiki (Honolulu's main tourist playground and home
to many gays and lesbians), wrote on November 20 to a constituent:  "The
marriage sacraments are sacred to me, and I believe strongly that marriage
implicitly refers to the indissoluble union of a man and a woman."  She
is "absolutely unable to support same sex marriage, although I will consider
domestic partnerships."  What makes this letter truly remarkable is that
Mary Jane McMurdo advocates legalizing prostitution (out of despair, it
must be admitted, of ever getting effective police enforcement of existing
laws against prostitution). 

	The "war of letters" will reach its crescendo this Monday, following
whatever sermons the radical right hears on the previous Sunday.  It's an
idiotic numbers game but critically important for public relations in a 
democracy---each side tries to claim that it has more people committed to  
it than the other!  HERMP was prematurely declared a winner by one TV
station on Thursday night (the story earlier in the week was that letters
to the commission were running 3 to 1 against same gender marriage).

					Happy Pearl Harbor Day?
					(I shudder at the possible
					metaphors!)


					Tom Ramsey
					Co-Coordinator
					Hawaii Equal Rights Marriage Project

P.S.  The Hawaii Equal Rights Marriage Project, HERMP, is the sole support
of the work of Dan Foley on Baehr v. Lewin (Foley is the attorney who makes
all court appearances on behalf of the plaintiff couples).  Please be generous
in support of HERMP; Hawaii is a small state, and the tiny gay and lesbian
community here is very active in advocacy work which HERMP cannot address.
Donations to HERMP are fully tax-deductible, and should be made out to
GLCC/HERMP, 1820 University Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96822.
 
      The HERMP branch in Kona, on the Big Island, has produced a T-shirt
for sale.  One can send a check for $16.50 to HERMP, P.O.Box 902, Captain
Cook, HI 96704, together with a note about being sent a T-shirt (S, M, L,
XL, XXL).  It is also available in a tank top.  The design is multi-color
on white.  A large triangle points down, with the letters h.e.r.m.p above
the triangle, some male-male, female-female symbols in the border of the
triangle and some palm trees.  Thank you!