Hawaii State House approves the Civil Unions Bill

Hawaii makes it happen for the gay community. The House has passed the Civil Unions bill.

A bill approving same-sex civil unions is headed to Hawaii's governor after the state House of Representatives gave it final legislative approval Thursday.

The House voted 31-20 in favor of the measure, which passed the Senate in January.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has not said whether she will make civil unions law or veto the bill.

The measure grants gay and lesbian couples the same rights and benefits that the state provides to married couples.

If it becomes law, Hawaii will join California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington in granting essentially all the rights of marriage to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself. Five other states permit same-sex marriage: Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The issue was revived on the last day of this year's legislative session when House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro made a motion to reconsider it.

Good luck, Hawaii!!!

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