Date: Sat, 10 Aug 96 21:18:24 HST
From: ramsey@math.hawaii.edu (Tom Ramsey)
Subject: HAWAII, AUG. 10, I

		PACIFIC CONGRESS OF QUAKERS FROM FOUR STATES
			SUPPORT SAME GENDER MARRIAGE

On August 9, 1996,  Pacific Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of
Friends made the statement that follows.  This body represents Quakers from
California, Hawaii, Nevada and Mexico.

                  EQUALITY OF MARRIAGE RIGHTS

As Quakers, some of the reasons we recognize
marriages are to affirm the individuals in their
choice, to support loving families, and to
strengthen our spiritual community.  It is also
fundamental to Quaker faith and practice that we
honor the equality and integrity of all human
beings.

Therefore, it is our belief that it is consistent with
Quakers' historical faith and testimonies that we
practice a single standard of treatment for all
couples who wish to marry.

Given that the State offers legal recognition of
opposite-gender marriage and extends significant
privileges to couples who legally marry, we believe
that a commitment to equality requires that same-gender couples have the
same rights and privileges.

Therefore, we believe that the State should permit
gay and lesbian couples to marry and share fully
and equally in the rights and responsibilities of
marriage.
                                             (from Rob Roy Woodman)




					Best Regards,

					Tom Ramsey
					Hawaii Equal Rights Marriage Project


Web sites for h.e.r.m.p information:
http://www.xq.com/hermp/
http://www.qrd.org/qrd/orgs/hermp/
http://www.tnight.com/hermp/
http://www.qrd.org/qrd/usa/hawaii/marriage.update/
The latter is provided by a BBS, which also provides BBS access
to h.e.r.m.p messages: Tropical Night BBS (808) 235-5558
telnet:bbs.tnight.com

For the official report of the Commission on Sexual Orientation and
the Law:
http://www.hawaii.gov/lrb/solcvr.html

For legal documents related to Baehr v. Lewin (now Baehr v. Miike):
http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/legal/
which has a link to marriage and Baehr v. Lewin
 
For national as well as Hawaii information:
http://nether.net/~rod/html/sub/marriage.html
http://www.well.com/user/davadam/hermp.html
http://www.eskimo.com/~demian/partners.html

      The Hawaii Equal Rights Marriage Project, h.e.r.m.p, is the sole support
of the work of Dan Foley on Baehr v. Miike.   Please be generous in support of
h.e.r.m.p; Hawaii is a small state!  Donations to h.e.r.m.p are fully
tax-deductible, and should be made out to
                     GLCC-HERMP
                     1521 Alexander Street, #503
                     Honolulu, HI 96822.
 
      The h.e.r.m.p branch in Kona, on the Big Island, has produced a T-shirt
for sale.  One can send a check for $17.50 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.  An image of
the T-shirt is available via the WEB on
       http://www.qrd.org/QRD/www/usa/maine/hawaii-tee.html