Date: Thu, 21 Dec 95 19:01:51 HST
From: ramsey@math.hawaii.edu (Tom Ramsey)
Subject: HAWAII, DEC. 21

		HOCHBERG FILES FRIVOLOUS LAWSUIT

	Jim Hochberg, a member of Hawaii's Commission on Sexual Orientation
and the Law, has filed a lawsuit in state court to somehow invalidate the
commission's report.  Exactly how, is not yet clear; details might appear in
tomorrow's Honolulu newspapers.  Hochberg is one of two commissioners who
opposed the majority recommendation that Hawaii recognize same-gender marriage.

	The point of this lawsuit is not clear.  The commission's report
has been informally circulated already to the legislative leadership; are
they supposed to turn in their copies?

	The commission faithfully followed state laws regarding open meetings,
advance notice of meetings, etc.  In fact, all proceedings were filmed by
our enemies (Mike Gabbard's group, Stop Promoting Homosexuality Now).  Hochberg
seems to be claiming that he wasn't given a free hand with the minority
report; in fact, the minority report was a courtesy---there is no requirement
that there be any minority report.

	Stay tuned for further nonsense!

				  Merry Christmas!

			          Tom Ramsey
				  Co-Coordinator of 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.  To place an email order for T-shirts, or
to obtain more information, please email skippero@aol.com [Skip Burns
in Kona].  Thank you!