WATCH: Hawaii Passes Marriage Equality
Source: The Advocate
After hearing more than 50 hours of public testimony, the Hawaii House of Representatives approved the Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013 by a vote of 30-19 on third reading late Friday night, reports Hawaii News Now.
Because the House added amendments broadening the bill's religious exemptions, the legislation will have to be reconsidered in the Senate, but given that chamber's strong approval of the bill last month, it's expected to again pass that chamber and move to the Governor's desk. The Senate will consider the amended bill on Tuesday, November 12.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie, an equality supporters who called the special legislative session specifically to consider the marriage equality act, has pledged to sign the bill. Once he does so, same-sex couples can begin marrying in Hawaii on December 2, according to Hawaii News Now. Hawaii will be the 16th U.S. state — along with the District of Columbia — to enact marriage equality.
"I commend the House of Representatives for taking this historic vote to move justice and equality forward," said Gov. Abercrombie in a statement immediately after the vote Friday evening. "After more than 50 hours of public testimony from thousands of testifiers on both sides of the issue, evaluating dozens of amendments, and deliberating procedures through hours of floor debates, the House passed this significant bill, which directly creates a balance between marriage equity for same-sex couples and protects our First Amendment freedoms for religious organizations. I applaud Speaker Souki, Judiciary Chair Rhoads, Finance Chair Luke, Majority Leader Saiki and the rest of the leadership team for their patience, fairness and hard work in shepherding this bill through the House. I am confident that the Senate will address the bill in the same spirit. I look forward to a successful conclusion to this major step in affirming everyone's civil rights."
Read more: http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/11/09/watch-hawaii-passes-marriage-equality
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In Illinois the bill has passed both the Senate and House - BUT Governor Quinn has scheduled the signing ceremony for November 20th and marriages will not begin until June 1, 2014.
So, if the Governor of Hawaii signs the Hawaii bill before November 20th and marriages begin December 2nd...
... then it looks like Hawaii might bump Illinois down a notch
Well maybe except for 50th place. 
The list of states in the article here: http://www.bilerico.com/2013/11/breaking_hawaii_approves_marriage_equality.php
I saw that list last night on the link above and I that's what made me wonder about which state will be written down in history as #15 and #16.
I think it's great that we are even having a discussion as to 'which state' it would be - two at once it pretty awesome
p.s. I'm on my first cup of coffee so my brain it not fully awake yet.
