Tony Perkins Mocks Abercrombie Loss

"Back in November of 2013, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie called a special session to legalize same-sex 'marriage, instead of giving voters a voice. Rather than put the issue on the ballot, as thousands of people asked for, he fast-tracked the bill through the legislature. Unfortunately for Abercrombie, he may have stopped Hawaiians from voting on marriage, but he couldn't stop them from voting in the primary. And that's where most of the state had the say they'd been waiting for. For the first time in Hawaii's history, a Democratic Governor was unseated in the primary. And handily. Abercrombie lost by a landslide, conceding a massive 2-1 margin to his opponent, despite outspending him 10-1. This weekend, he blamed the disaster on his decision to redefine marriage. Of course, the media would have you believe that the debate over marriage is over. But the next time you're tempted to believe them, ask Neil Abercrombie how 'over' the discussion really is. Thanks to this election, he'll have plenty of time to answer." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

HAWAII: Gov. Neil Abercrombie Blames Primary Loss On Same-Sex Marriage

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie yesterday declared that he lost this month's reelection primary because he had called a special legislative session on same-sex marriage.

Republicans are allowed to vote for Democrats in Hawaii's open primary, and Abercrombie said they chose to vote against him because of his support for gay marriage and because they think his party rival, state Sen. David Ige, is an easier target to beat in the general election. "Republicans crossed over en masse to vote in the Democratic primary, and then the religious factor came in," Abercrombie said. "Doctrinally I was outside the circle and paid for it." He argued that voters were urged to choose his opponent by their religious leaders. Abercrombie, who spoke to reporters in his office, lost to Ige by a stunning 2-1 margin, the first time a Democratic governor has been unseated in a Hawaii primary. But Abercrombie said losing was worth it to pass a law legalizing gay marriage. "There's no way I could live with myself if I thought I was diminishing another human being's ability to reach their full capacity," Abercrombie said.

Those who watched night after night of those public comments during the Hawaii House committee hearings will remember them as the ugliest we've ever seen. And that is really saying something.

IT'S DONE: Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie Signs Marriage Equality Bill

I teared up during the song. Shut up! I'm butch! ::sniffle::

Hawaii Gov To Sign Marriage Bill Today

Via the Associated Press:

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie is expected to sign a bill Wednesday legalizing gay marriage, expanding the state's aloha spirit and positioning the islands for more newlywed tourists. Abercrombie was expected to sign the bill Wednesday morning at an invitation-only ceremony at the Hawaii Convention Center, near the tourist heart of Waikiki. The measure will allow thousands of gay couples living in Hawaii and even more tourists to marry in the state starting Dec. 2. Another 14 states and the District of Columbia already allow same-sex marriage, while a bill is awaiting the governor's signature in Illinois. "I look forward to signing this significant piece of legislation, which provides marriage equity and fully recognizes and protects religious freedoms," Abercrombie said.

I'll post a video link to the ceremony this afternoon.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie Celebrates

"

"I commend the House of Representatives for taking this historic vote to move justice and equality forward. 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." - Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie, in a statement issued today.

HAWAII: Court Rejects Bid To Stop Governor From Signing Marriage Bill

The lawsuit to stop Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie from signing the marriage equality bill has been slapped down.

The lawsuit, filed by Rep. Bob McDermott, a Republican, centered on a 1998 ballot issue on same-sex marriage. Gov. Neil Abercrombie and many legislators maintain the meaning of the issue presented on the 1998 ballot gave the State Legislature the power to make all future decisions on same sex marriage, but McDermott said the adopted Constitutional Amendment, and official instructions from the Office of Elections, clearly set limits on legislative authority. McDermott also said the people clearly “thought” they were voting on a legal definition of marriage as between opposite sexes only.

The Hawaii House is due to make its third and final vote today. (Tipped by JMG reader Christopher)

Brian Brown: Hawaii Emergency! Again!

"The Governor claims that there have been no complaints or lawsuits in Hawaii — yet. But that's because marriage has not yet been redefined! Just look around elsewhere. In Vermont, Christian inn-keepers were fined for declining to host a same-sex wedding AND ordered to cease hosting weddings altogether.
Recently, the New Mexico state Supreme Court ruled that Christian photographers must compromise their beliefs and offer their services against their will by photographing same-sex ceremonies. Never mind that same-sex couples can easily find other photographers who are happy to participate in these ceremonies.

"Instead the court said the price of citizenship is having to compromise your faith. Most recently in Washington State, the Attorney General is suing a Christian florist for declining to use their talents to arrange flowers for a same-sex 'marriage' ceremony, while a baker in Oregon was driven out of business for declining to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple because it violated their deeply held religious beliefs. This is what the future looks like in Hawaii if marriage is redefined." - Hate group leader and compulsive liar Brian Brown, yet again declaring a "Hawaii emergency" and very conveniently failing to note that Hawaii already has the same public accommodation law cited in the above cases.

HAWAII: Gov. Abercrombie Sets Date For Special Legislative Marriage Session

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced that he has called for a special legislative marriage equality session on October 28th.

The push for such legislation by way of a special session increased in the aftermath a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in June that enabled legally married gay couples to receive federal benefits. Currently, same-sex couples in Hawaii can enter into civil unions and receive the same rights and benefits as marriage under state law but are not entitled to federal benefits. State House Democrats have met over the past two weeks to count votes and determine if support existed to pass a measure. Senate Democrats are scheduled to meet later this week, although leaders have said they have enough votes to pass a bill recognizing same-sex marriage in Hawaii.

It's looking good! (Tipped by JMG reader Eduardo)

UPDATE: Metro Weekly has more.

Abercrombie said the special session would likely last four to five days and expressed optimism that the bill, which includes a religious exemption touted by Abercrombie, would pass both houses of the Legislature. Hawaii Attorney General David Louie said, if approved, the bill as proposed would allow for same-sex nuptials to begin as soon as Nov. 18. According to Abercrombie, the October date was chosen before the start of the new session next year due to the "serious, deep and wide ranging consequences, particularly for tax law, that have to be in effect by Dec. 31 if they're to be taken full advantage of."

HAWAII: Decision On Special Legislative Session On Marriage To Come Soon

HAWAII: Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz Tapped To Succeed The Late Sen. Daniel Inouye

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie has named his second-in-command, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, to replace Sen. Daniel Inouye, who died last week after almost 50 years in office.

“I asked how best could we ensure that Hawaii remain strong in the long run,” Abercrombie said, adding that rebuilding the state’s seniority in Congress was a priority. “I made this decision with the full confidence that Brian’s appointment is in the best interest of the party, the state of Hawaii and the nation.” For 22 years Hawaii had been represented in the Senate by the same tandem — Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka. Because of his appointment, Schatz will become the state’s new senior senator in January, after Sen.-elect Mazie Hirono succeeds the retiring Akaka.

Schatz is 40 years old.

HAWAII: Freshman House Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Vies For Inouye's Senate Seat

Just-elected Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), the first Hindu person elected to Congress, has submitted herself to replace venerable Sen. Daniel Inouye, who died last week after almost 50 years in the Senate.

“In the military, I learned that ‘leadership’ means raising your hand and volunteering for the tough, important assignments,” Gabbard said in a statement announcing her application to fill the open seat. “Senator Inouye did that as a young man, and he inspired a generation of young soldiers like me. Now it is our responsibility to step up, for the good of Hawai`i. In that spirit, I place my name into consideration for the seat he filled so ably.” Gabbard adds her name to several other applicants for the seat — Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, Inouye’s choice to replace him in a letter written just before his death, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, Rep. Ed Case, State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, State Sen. Will Espero, and Esther Kiaaina, deputy director at the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.  Three nominees will be selected by the Hawaii Democratic Party and their names sent to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who will choose Inouye’s replacement.