WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR HAWAII...

Queers United reported yesterday that Hawaii could be just one committee vote away from passing civil union legislation on to a majority supportive legislature.

The bill is now in the House Judiciary Committee which has, on several past attempts, not allowed it to proceed to the full legislature for a vote. In fact, in the 2007 attempt, the committee simply refused to vote on it at all which effectively killed it.

This time however, of the six committee members, 3 are in favor of it, 2 are against and Senator Robert Bunda, who didn't support it before, is now considered a swing vote and could go either way.

Senator Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), said that he needs to get a better understanding of the legislation and would be willing to consider it. So, of course, it would be very helpful if he heard from as many of us as possible.

Queers United is asking the GLBT community to contact Senator Bunda and "politely urge him to support civil unions, remind him that his election is historic as being the first Filipino to attain the presidency of any state legislature and that he should stand up for diversity and equality."

Here's how to do it...

Email: senbunda@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Phone: 808-586-6090

Fax: 808-586-6091

Snail Mail:
Senator Robert Bunda
22nd Senatorial District
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 202
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813