HONOLULU — The Hawaii Senate has approved same-sex civil unions, setting up the measure for final passage. The Senate passed the bill on an 18-7 vote Friday, moving the measure to the House of Representatives and sending a strong signal
HONOLULU — The Hawaii Senate has approved same-sex civil unions, setting up the measure for final passage.
The Senate passed the bill on an 18-7 vote Friday, moving the measure to the House of Representatives and sending a strong signal that the Democratic majority has enough votes to override a potential veto from Republican Gov. Linda Lingle.
Civil unions would grant the same rights of marriage to both gay and straight couples.
The vote puts pressure on the House, which hasn’t decided to take up the issue after passing it last year.
Lingle has urged the Legislature to drop the issue, but she has refused to say whether she would sign the measure.
The Senate gallery was packed with civil union opponents wearing “iVote” buttons and supporters wearing rainbow-colored lei.
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