By Katherine Dean
The Hawaii legislature passed a bill legalizing same-sex civil unions on Wednesday. According to CNN, the bill greatly expands the relationships rights of homosexual couples by granting them access to all of the state-level marital rights of opposite-sex couples (except, of course, the right to legally define their relationships as marriage).
Gov. Neil Abercrombie is expected to sign the bill next week. In a statement, Abercrombie said, “I have always believed that civil unions respect our diversity, protect people’s privacy and reinforce our core values of equality and aloha.”
The new law will take effect Jan. 1, 2012.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
- These nonbinary cosplay lovers brought anime to life for their ethereal wedding
- Sweet lesbian proposal on a gondola [VIDEO]
- Navy and green wedding for Disney lovers in Beacon, New York
- Ensuring Inclusivity: 5 Considerations for Guests with Disabilities on Your Wedding Day
- Greenhouse wedding in Downtown Los Angeles for two brides