Date: Wed, 26 Feb 97 15:10:37 HST
From: ramsey@math.hawaii.edu (Tom Ramsey)
Subject: HAWAII FEB 26

	HAWAI'I COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ISSUES STATEMATE ON
                   SAME-GENDER MARRIAGE

FULL TEXT IS AVAILABLE ON http://www.xq.com/hermp/

	The eight-page statement reviews the positions taken
on the civil rights and/or marriage of gays and lesbians by
the Presbyterian Church, Unitarian Universalist Association,
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the United Methodist
Church, the Episcopal Church in the United States, the United
Church of Christ, the Buddhists, the Central Conference of
American Rabbis (the Reform Movement in Judaism), and the
Hawaiian tradition.

The statement concludes with the following resolutions, and then
signatures of supporting parties:

RESOLUTION
 
Therefore, be it resolved, that the undersigned oppose any
constitutional amendment or other statute concerning same-gender
marriage which would offend the Bill of Rights or impose one
religious vision of the spiritual and moral significance
of marriage on everyone; and supports the full judicial
resolution of Baehr v. Miike without legislative interference.

Be it further resolved, that the undersigned oppose any governmental
action that would impose a duty upon any faith community to solemnize
marriages contrary to their religious and moral views.

Be it further resolved, that while the undersigned recognize
that there is great diversity in the faith community regarding
the unique place of the religious and spiritual aspects of marriage,
we call upon appropriate municipal, state and national legislative
bodies to approve measures giving gay and lesbian couples protection
such as:  bereavement and family leave policies, health benefits,
pension benefits, real estate transfer tax benefits, and commitments
to mutual support enjoyed by non-gay married couples.

Be it further resolved, that the undersigned invite all persons
of faith, in the spirit of reconciliation, to experience the struggle
and joy of the journey toward openness and affirmation of all
lesbian and gay persons.


				Best Regards,


				Tom Ramsey
				Ex-Officio, Marriage
                                Project-Hawaii Steering Committee
				President, Friends of h.e.r.m.p


P.S.  Marriage Project-Hawaii is grateful to the many mainland
contributors who helped us cut our bill with Dan Foley in half.
A special mahalo goes to Rev. Mel White, who worked wonders in
spreading the word of our financial distress.
      Dan is hard at work, with advice of Evan Wolfson of LLDEF,
on the preparing responses to the state's appeal of the successful
Dec. 3 ruling by Circuit Court Judge Kevin Chang.  Yes, that means
that our need for new funds continues.  Please be generous!
Contributions to Marriage Project-Hawaii (formerly h.e.r.m.p) are
fully tax- deductible, and may be sent to 
                  Marriage Project-Hawaii
		  PO Box 11690
                  Honolulu, HI 96828