![Supporters of civil unions for gay and lesbian couples in Hawaii held a candlelight demonstration on Saturday. [Photo credit: FL Morris/ FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM]](http://www.hrcbackstory.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/20090308_civilahawaii.jpg "HawaiiCivilUnionsVigils")
Supporters of civil unions for gay and lesbian couples in Hawaii held a candlelight demonstration on Saturday. (Photo credit: FL Morris/ FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM)
This past Saturday, thousands of Aloha state residents gathered on Oahu, Maui and Hawai’i for coordinated candlelight vigils in support of civil unions for gay and lesbian couples. The turnout was remarkable, as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents of Hawai’i joined with their straight allies to send a message to the state Senate and their fellow residents of the state.
To view video news coverage of the vigils, click here.
“We are thrilled that so many of Hawaii’s residents especially the Native Hawaiian community and people of faith turned out for the vigils,” said Alan Spector, co-chair of the Family Equality Coalition, the newly formed statewide LGBT group. “Now we need our state senators to act and recall the civil unions bill from the Senate Judiciary Committee.”
Currently, the bill is stalled in committee, but the President of the Senate, Colleen Hanabusa, has the power to recall the bill to the floor of the Senate with the support of 9 Senators. The earliest the bill may be recalled is March 10th and may be done so at any time before the end of the session in May.
A view of the candlelight vigil in support of civil unions at the Hawaii State Capitol in Honolulu.
HRC has been working closely with the Family Equality Coalition and other partner organizations to provide logistical support. United with a common goal and working together, we look forward to attaining equal rights under the law for our supporters and all members of the LGBT community in Hawai’i.
And if you live in Hawaii, take action today by signing HRC’s online petition to Hawaii state leaders to permit gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions!
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