HAWAII: House FINALLY Advances Marriage Bill, Final Vote Due On Friday

Via Honolulu Civil Beat:

After 11 hours of emotional floor speeches and failed attempts to have the issue put on the ballot, the House passed Senate Bill 1 on second reading by a vote of 30 to 18 (three members' absences were excused). The decision brings the measure to its third reading, set for 10 a.m. Friday. From there, the bill returns to the Senate for its consideration.

Supporters who rallied in the rotunda erupted in applause, hugs and cheers for "marriage equality" after the vote was announced. At the same moment, several dozen opponents — their crowd again far bigger — began chanting "let the people vote," urging lawmakers to put the issue on the ballot.

The overall numbers were far fewer but the tension between the two sides was more palpable than at any time during the special session, now in its second week. The two groups formed right next to each other, illuminated by the Capitol lights and TV news crews as a handful of lawmakers and staff members watched from the floors above.

Here's the reaction outside.