Same-Sex Civil Unions Bill of Hawaii Vetoed by Governor

A bill permitting same-sex civil unions in Hawaii was vetoed by the governor stating that it is an issue of societal importance which has to be voted on in a public referendum. The governor indicated that this is an issue that requires the reflection, collective wisdom and consent of the people and the right to directly decide the matter is to be given to them. The state of Hawaii is one of the U.S. states where gay rights movements are very active. The bill, if had become law would have conferred upon homosexual and heterosexual couples rights and benefits equal to those afforded married couples in the state. The state Senate approved the bill in January and it was approved by the House in April. The gay rights activists have declared that they would challenge the decision in court as it violates constitutional rights which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. A few states like Washington DC, New Jersey, Oregon and Nevada have recognized same-sex civil unions.