Hawaii Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill, Gov. Expected To Sign [View all]

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Source: TPM

The Hawaii Senate on Tuesday passed a marriage equality bill by a 19-4 margin.

The House already passed the measure, which expands religious exemptions, and Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) has indicated he will sign the bill. Gay couples can start obtaining their marriage licenses on Dec. 2.

Hawaii will become the 15th state to legalize gay marriage.

The Illinois legislature also passed gay marriage legislation last week, and Gov. Pat Quinn (D) is expected to sign the bill before the end of November.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/hawaii-senate-passes-gay-marriage-bill-guv-expected-to-sign

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The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday legalizing gay marriage, putting Hawaii a signature away from becoming a same-sex wedding destination.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who called lawmakers to a special session for the bill and has vocally supported gay marriage, has said he would sign the measure. It will allow thousands of gay couples living in Hawaii and even more tourists to marry in the state starting Dec. 2.

Senators passed the bill 19-4 with two lawmakers excused. Cheers erupted inside and outside the gallery when the vote was taken, with a smattering of boos. Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, who voted against the bill, banged her gavel and told members of the public to quiet down.

More than half the chamber's lawmakers spoke in support of the bill, with many urging the public to come together to heal divisions within the community.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/hawaii-senate-take-last-vote-gay-marriage