Five Reasons Gov. Linda Lingle Should Sign Hawaii's Civil Unions Law

Hawaii is one step closer to saying Aloha to civil unions, as their State House voted in favor of legislation that will extend civil unions to same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The vote was 31-20, a pretty overwhelming total, but three votes shy of being able to override a veto from the Governor.

And that's where all eyes are turning now. Gov. Linda Lingle, who is wrapping up the last few months of her final term as Hawaii's chief executive, now has 45 days to decide whether she'll sign the legislation, or veto it. What's she going to do?

Nobody knows. Gov. Lingle hasn't stated her public position on the legislation, although prior to yesterday's vote, she did ask House leaders to spend their time focusing on other matters. But that's not necessarily a sign that Gov. Lingle opposes civil unions. After all, this isn't your standard Republican governor. She's ardently pro-choice, and as chair of Hawaii's Republican Party, instituted a number of reforms to make the party more "moderate" in a state where Democrats rule the waters.

Of course, Lingle is also good friends with Sarah Palin, and praised the former Alaska Governor during the 2008 Republican National Convention. Hrumph.

So what's the Governor going to do? Well, click here and urge her to sign this law, otherwise known as House Bill 444, into law. And then check out the five reasons below why Gov. Lingle should allow Hawaii to become the next state in the union to take a step toward LGBT equality.

5. It's not about redefining marriage.

It's the argument that nearly everyone who opposed civil unions legislation kept trying to make. But it's a straw man, to steal a buzzword from Obama's 2008 campaign. Meaning that, while opponents say that civil unions would threaten marriage, they're talking nonsense. Why? Because civil unions have nothing to do with marriage. There's a reason people call civil unions separate: because they're a completely different institution. The state of New Jersey has said so. The state of Vermont once said so. The state of New Hampshire once said so. In other words, civil unions are merely an effort to allow gay and lesbian couples (and in this case, opposite-sex couples) to have access to the myriad of benefits that couples receive in a state like Hawaii. But it doesn't undo Hawaii's ban on gay marriage, and it certainly doesn't make a church (or churches) have to recognize a relationship that they'd rather not.

4. Hawaii and its equal rights history.

The trajectory of Hawaii on the issue of LGBT equality is a bit of a tragic story. In the early 1990s, it looked as if Hawaii's Supreme Court was on track to make Hawaii the first state in the country to recognize gay marriage. There's even a parody of Hawaii's "liberal" stance on gay rights issues in The Brady Bunch Movie (you know, the one starring Shelley Long as Carol Brady?). But what a difference a few years make. Instead, Hawaii's voters would go on to pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, and in many respects, the state is credited for pushing the Clinton administration to sign the Defense of Marriage Act. What a 180-degree turn. But now Hawaii has a chance to regain some of that equality mojo, by taking a step in the direction for equal rights.

3. Because Gov. Lingle is supposed to be a moderate voice in the party.

Gov. Lingle, now is the time to prove your chops. As Hawaii's first female governor, first Jewish governor, and first Republican governor (at least since 1962), Gov. Lingle is used to kicking ass and chewing bubble gum. This legislation now provides her another opportunity to break down a few barriers, and show that within the GOP, there are voices out there who understand that current laws treat LGBT couples unfairly. Gov. Lingle earned her office by telling Hawaii voters that she was a different kind of Republican, and one that wasn't afraid to perhaps take positions counter to leaders in the GOP, if it was in the best interest of Hawaiians. Well, I can't think of a moment more pressing than now for Gov. Lingle to show that she meant what she said on the campaign trail oh-so-many years ago.

2. Because nobody likes a lawsuit.

If Gov. Lingle decides to veto this bill, there's no escaping the fact that there will be a lawsuit. In fact, Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Hawaii have already thrown the gauntlet. Jenny Pizer, Lambda Legal's Marriage Project Director, praised the State House for passing HB 444 yesterday, but also made it clear that if the Governor isn't willing to support this legislation, there will be a lawsuit demonstrating that current state law is discriminatory and in violation of Hawaii's State Constitution. "We were already on O`ahu this week in
final preparations for litigation if the legislature failed to act," said Pizer. "We're delighted that, as long as Governor Lingle does not veto the bill, our lawsuit won't be necessary." Don't make the lawsuit necessary, Gov. Lingle.

1. This one's for the children. And the majority of people who support civil unions.

As numerous activists (including those with Equality Hawaii) have made perfectly clear these past few weeks (if not years), this civil unions legislation only serves to bolster Hawaii's LGBT families. "Equality feels really good," said activist Suzanne King, whose legal same-sex marriage in Massachusetts would be recognized as a civil union in Hawaii, if Gov. Lingle signs the bill. "It allows us to strengthen our family." Why? Because it means that her relationship with her partner/wife will be seen as legitimate by the state, and by society. And that's a sentiment that's particularly important for the children of LGBT parents. Meanwhile, it also bears repeating that nationwide, majorities of people support civil unions legislation, across all party lines. In fact, this past February, ABC noted that support for civil unions was at an all-time high, with nearly 66 percent of the country supporting them. In other words, this isn't a risky political move for Gov. Lingle. It's one that puts her in lockstep with two-thirds of the country.

Now, will she have the courage to sign the bill? Send her office an email now, urging her to take this step toward equal rights. No, it's not full marriage equality. But it is an important move toward giving Hawaii's LGBT couples some much needed rights, and dignity.

Photo credit: Gov. Linda Lingle's office