Gay marriage is now legal in Hawaii.

[Live Aloha]

As of January 1, 2012 civil unions are legal in Hawaii. It's a pretty big deal here, and a lot people I know aren't welcoming it easily.

Personally, I have no problems with it. If 2 people love each other, and they're committed to each other, I could care less what their genders are. I'm just sick of hearing all my friends/family bitching about how gays shouldn't be allowed to marry and how it's dumb that Hawaii legalized it. Like really, leave them alone. It's not hurting you in any way, seriously. Why meddle in other people's lives?

The reason for our state passing the bill is honestly mostly for revenue from what I've gathered. Hawaii is a pretty hot wedding destination and so now they're hoping more people will come spend their money here and get married here.

So, are they doing the right thing for the wrong reasons by legalizing gay marriage?

What are your opinions on this, and civil unions in general?

[Choose]

Well, I personally see no problem with gay marriage. People should be able to marry whoever the heck they want. I agree with you though, I feel like it's not really anyone's business who marries who. If it ends up bringing revenue to the islands, I fail to see the downside to it.

I mean, something that might be construed as a "problem" is that it might increase the concentration of gay people on the islands, even if it is on a temporary basis.

[JKmadu619]

Good, it's about time the gays get fair rights.

- Justin

[ChangingTides]

[Iris. ♥]

Chance, you are AWESOME. Lol. That's probably the best way I've ever heard something like that worded. I'm straight, but I see absolutely no issue with gay marriage. If two people love each other and they want to get married, then they should go for it! I'm glad to see that gay rights are spreading, even if it's taking forever.

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

I am wondering would other states honor the marriage though? Like if they got married there and went on a "honeymoon" when they went back to their state(if homosexual marriage is not allowed there if it would actually be honored as a marriage?

[Kate*]

Originally Posted by ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST

I am wondering would other states honor the marriage though? Like if they got married there and went on a "honeymoon" when they went back to their state(if homosexual marriage is not allowed there if it would actually be honored as a marriage?

I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no because I know that gay marriage is illegal in Ohio, and gay marriages are also not recognized here so it would stand to reason the circumstances would be the same for other states too. I think there's a difference between a gay marriage and a civil union though so that might make a difference. Civil unions are also unrecognized here.

I have absolutely no problem with gay marriage, civil union or whatever. The only reason I think it's illegal here is because Ohio is historically a conservative state. You don't have to agree with what people do or want, but to deny someone equal rights because you disagree with a concept is just wrong.

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

Originally Posted by Kate*

I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no because I know that gay marriage is illegal in Ohio, and gay marriages are also not recognized here so it would stand to reason the circumstances would be the same for other states too. I think there's a difference between a gay marriage and a civil union though so that might make a difference. Civil unions are also unrecognized here.

In that case, what would be the point of people going there to get married( help them to raise money), unless the couple was intending to move there to stay?

[Kate*]

You would have to ask them that. Either they want to move there or they want the equal right of a recognized marriage, even if it isn't recognized everywhere.

[Snufkin]

This thread is just making me wonder where Guile is?

[Revolution]

Civil union is not marriage. It's another name for marriage so that homophobic people can feel like we're not ruining "marriage." So, I don't know. It's a step, a step my state won't even take. But it's not the answer.

[dr2005]

Originally Posted by Snufkin

This thread is just making me wonder where Guile is?

But I digress...I have no problem with gay marriage or civil unions. I do have concerns about Hawaii seemingly exploiting it for commercial gains, but at the same time it's no worse than doing so with heterosexual marriage (and let's not forget Las Vegas either...). I also have concerns about them not being recognised by other states, and feel it's a good idea to get some consistency on that front.

[Koharuchan]

Even if they are doing it for the wrong reasons, it's still a great step forward in gay rights. What's important is that they can legally marry in Hawaii, not that Hawaii is doing it for commercial/monetary gain.

[ToGoOmniscient]

I'm just happy it's legal xD

[JKmadu619]

Originally Posted by Koharuchan

Even if they are doing it for the wrong reasons, it's still a great step forward in gay rights. What's important is that they can legally marry in Hawaii, not that Hawaii is doing it for commercial/monetary gain.

Who cares if it's for money? The cake is there, eat it and shut up.

Maybe if other states see this making money, they'll follow suit. It's actually great that allowing gay marrige is helpful to everyone, because everyone pays the taxes that allow the bill to be passed.

I say great, show everyone that gay marriage has advantages outside of just gays marrying.

- Justin

[Rainbow Dash]

I don't agree with the reasons but it's a step in the right direction. Either way I'm pretty happy with this news

[ToGoOmniscient]

The fact that they're doing it for revenue doesn't exactly float my boat.

But like JKmadu619 said, if the other states see it, they might follow suit.

sooooo woot woot

[TheBabyEater]

My thoughts:

[Loving Linux Penguin]

To be CLEAR, is this MARRIAGE or PARTNERSHIP? Partnerships typically allow for fewer rights as full-fledged marriage, and therefore this would be a small success to my way of thinking.

[Xx.Shes.Unbroken.xX]

I don't see how it's any of anyone's buisness who anyone marries. People need to keep their nose outta the ass of people's personal lives. They just stick it WAYYY TOO FAR in there. Like what the heck is wrong with this world? LOVE IS LOVE. Go get married. I don't see anything wrong with it. -.- People just want stuff to complain about these days..

[Unfortunate]

They did it for wrong reasons. But its awesome anyways. Im glad they did it.
I think that the government doent have the right to say eho you can and can't marry. If you love some it shouldnt matter what their gender is. Someday i hope gay marrige will be legal in all 50 states.

[Revolution]

Originally Posted by Loving Linux Penguin

To be CLEAR, is this MARRIAGE or PARTNERSHIP? Partnerships typically allow for fewer rights as full-fledged marriage, and therefore this would be a small success to my way of thinking.

Partnership. That's what I said too Chris. I don't know why everybody is going into their reasoning. It's politics, it's probably not a good reason. What everybody is ignoring is that it isn't really marriage. It's just civil union.

[BruceLeeDemarcus]

Yay! This makes me very happy!

[Sythan]

This isn't gay marriage, this is allowing civil unions. They aren't the same. But, now we can start working on getting gay marriage.

[Live Aloha]

I honestly don't know what it says/means anymore. On the website it says something about marriage licenses, but the TV keeps saying civil unions, so I'm kind of unsure at this point.

All I know is I'm just honestly sick of hearing about it to be totally honest. I'm kind of glad I'm done with social studies because that's pretty much all they're talking about in those classes right now. Even in my leadership and ROTC classes people are just going off. And I'm just like seriously, give it a rest. Sick of all the complainers, sick of all the drama this is causing. Just in general, sick of hearing about it.

[Loving Linux Penguin]

Yeah, seriously. Technically speaking, being that the 14th Amendment requires equal protection under the law, EVERY state (in theory) should be required to recognize marriage between any two people regardless of their biological sex or spiritual gender. Sorry, but it's in the United States Constitution: so JUST DEAL WITH IT. I don't care what you believe. You have every right to believe the beliefs from whatever religion or philosophy you wish to follow. You do NOT, however, have the right to restrict the rights of others around you based on your religious beliefs. The constitution of the United States guarantees equal protection under the law. If you don't like it, find a different country.

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

Originally Posted by Loving Linux Penguin

Yeah, seriously. Technically speaking, being that the 14th Amendment requires equal protection under the law, EVERY state (in theory) should be required to recognize marriage between any two people regardless of their biological sex or spiritual gender. Sorry, but it's in the United States Constitution: so JUST DEAL WITH IT. I don't care what you believe. You have every right to believe the beliefs from whatever religion or philosophy you wish to follow. You do NOT, however, have the right to restrict the rights of others around you based on your religious beliefs. The constitution of the United States guarantees equal protection under the law. If you don't like it, find a different country.

protection and marriage are not the same. This was meant as protection from either dangers or like being charged with a crime. They would be required to give me the same rights to a lawyer trial ECT as they gave you.