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Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Wednesday signed a bill into law that extends marriage rights to same-sex couples in his state, making it No. 15 in the lineup of U.S. states that legally recognize same-sex marriage. Illinois has passed the bill in the Senate and the House, but Gov. Quinn hasn’t signed the bill into law yet (he is expected to do so on Nov. 20).

“What happened in this Legislature is people… listened to what their role was in terms of upholding the constitution,” Gov. Abercrombie said during the signing ceremony that took place at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. “It’s not a question of if it’s a special interest. It’s a question of if it promotes the public interest.”

Hawaii’s same-sex marriage law will take effect on Dec. 2.

Read more on Washington Blade.

Photo: Hawaii United for Marriage