July 6 was an intensely emotional day at the state capitol. It was the deadline for Governor Linda Lingle to pass HB444 for civil unions with her signature, veto the bill, or let it pass without her say.
Supporters of HB444 waived signs at the Beretania Street traffic and gathered on the first floor of the capitol, where Lingle's decision was broadcast over loudspeakers. Organizations that were present included the UHM LGBTI center, the GLBT Democratic Caucus of Hawaii, Pride Alliance, PFLAG, Da Moms ('Ohana for GLBT), the Japanese American Citizens League, and many others. Opponents of HB444 wore white shirts to represent purity and held a prayer and song session upstairs.
When the veto was announced a little after 3 p.m., many burst into tears and held one another as the cheers of HB444 opponents echoed from upstairs. As my own life, independence, and future goals as a Hawai'i resident are heavily tied to the eventual passage of HB444, I hope these photos will give you an understanding of how this civil rights issues affects us.
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