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For the 2009 Legislative report, please see our sister site (under construction): http://www.hawaiiaclu.org/2009/

Lambda Legal and ACLU File Lawsuit Against Hawai`i Governor Seeking Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples

“The political process has failed the thousands of families who need the protections civil unions would have provided.” (07/29/2010)
(Honolulu, July 29, 2010) — Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i Foundation (ACLU) today filed suit against the State of Hawai`i three weeks after Governor Linda Lingle’s veto of  House Bill (HB) 444, a bill that would have allowed unmarried couples to enter civil unions with comprehensive state law rights and responsibilities. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of six same-sex couples, five from O`ahu and one from Hawai`i Island.

Read the complaint: http://www.acluhawaii.org/downloads/YoungVLingleComplaint.pdf or
http://www.lambdalegal.org/young-v-lingle

Learn more about the plaintiffs: http://www.acluhawaii.org/downloads/plaintiffbios.pdf

A brief history of the struggle for equality in Hawaii: http://www.acluhawaii.org/downloads/HI_history_samesex.pdf

The landscape of marriage equality and civil unions in the U.S. and the world: http://www.acluhawaii.org/downloads/samesex_recognition.pdf
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ACLU of Hawaii to Hold Civil Liberties "Talk Story" Meetings Across Oahu (07/20/2010)
HONOLULU – The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii Foundation (“ACLU”) invites the public to a series of free, public community meetings to discuss civil liberties issues, local and national, with community-based board members and staff.
 
Executive Director Vanessa Chong said: “In our 45th anniversary year, we continue our tradition of open, public conversations about fundamental rights. Getting community feedback and participation will help the ACLU better fulfill its mission in Hawaii.”
 
Please join us!
Meetings will be held at the following times and locations:
 
8/6/10: North Shore, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Haleiwa Art Gallery, 66-252  Kamehameha Hwy., next to North Shore Marketplace. Free parking. ADA accessible.
 
8/18/10: Windward Oahu, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Kailua High School Cafeteria, 451 Ulumanu Drive. Free parking. ADA accessible.
 
8/19/10: East Honolulu, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Kaiser High School Library, 511 Lunalilo Home Road. Free parking, ADA accessible.
 
9/9/10: University of Hawaii at Manoa, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Ethnic Studies Department,  George  Hall,  Room 301B (2560 Campus Road). $3 on-campus parking. ADA accessible. See www.hawaii.edu/parking

We would appreciate your RSVP to help us plan better, but walk-ins are also welcome. RSVP to any event by phone: (808)522-5906 (24-hour RSVP line) or by email <office@acluhawaii.org>. All locations ADA-accessible, all requests for special accommodation must be received no later than two weeks prior to each event.

More details and more events!: http://www.acluhawaii.org/index.php?id=205
 

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Lambda Legal and ACLU Ready Lawsuit Following Veto of HB 444
(07/06/2010)
(Honolulu, July 6, 2010) — Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i (ACLU) reacted today with deep disappointment following Hawai`i Governor Linda  Lingle’s veto of HB 444, which would have allowed gay and straight Hawai`i couples to take legal responsibility for each other by entering civil unions.  Having received strong majority votes by both houses of the Hawai`i Legislature, the bill was given final approval on April 29, the last day of the session.  Lingle had until July 6 to take action on the bill.
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Make Hawaii Proud, Governor Lingle: Allow the Civil Unions Bill to Become Law
(06/23/2010)
Raise your voice! Use this secure form, or use the office information below. Even if you have already called, written or emailed, now is the time to renew your vote for equality and protection for all Hawaii families!
https://secure.aclu.org/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&id=2445&page=UserAction&s_src=UNW100001ACT&s_subsrc=hicu_affweb

From the ACLU Blog of Rights:
http://www.aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights/make-hawaii-proud-gov-lingle-allow-civil-unions-bill-become-law

LGBT rights supporters in Hawaii have been waiting on pins and needles since April 29, 2010, when the Hawaii State House of Representatives passed House Bill 444, the civil unions bill, and sent it to Gov. Linda Lingle for her signature. The governor has until July 6, 2010, to either sign it into law, allow it to become law without her signature, or veto it.

H.B. 444 would allow both same-sex and different-sex couples to enter into a civil union, which will provide them with the same responsibilities and legal protections under state law as those provided to married couples. While civil unions will not confer those social and cultural benefits (or federal legal protections) that come with marriage, civil unions will go a long way towards ensuring that same-sex couples are able to adequately take care of each other and their families.

H.B. 444's long and excruciating two year journey through the Hawaii State Legislature will surely go down in history as one of the most hard-fought battles for LGBT rights in Hawaii. In addition to endless community organizing, lobbying, and public education, we have endured historically long public hearings, wavering legislators and vote after vote after vote. Even now, while we wait for Gov. Lingle's decision, we are lobbying the legislature to come back to the capitol to override her veto if necessary.

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Lambda Legal & ACLU to Governor: Do Not Veto HB444

Corrections Corp. of America Pays Damages, Attorney Fees to Settle Censorship Lawsuit
(06/09/2010)
ACLU of Hawaii Senior Staff Attorney Daniel Gluck said: “As Hawaii pays for nearly 1,900 inmates to be incarcerated in the same Corrections Corporation of America (“CCA”) facility in Arizona at issue in this litigation, it is in Hawaii’s best interest to ensure that CCA is held accountable for upholding inmates’ civil rights and ensuring that they are treated humanely and decently.  Too often our inmates on the mainland and the money we spend to hold them there are forgotten – ‘out of sight and out of mind.’”

This case underscores the need for vigilant oversight of for-profit prison companies, particularly CCA.  The ACLU of Hawaii legal team continues to investigate numerous complaints about conditions at the CCA Saguaro, AZ facility.  Despite having spent hundreds of millions of dollars on CCA contracts since 1995, the State has never conducted an independent audit of those contracts or of the CCA-Saguaro facility.  The ACLU of Hawaii joins other prison watchdog groups in calling on Governor Lingle to sign H.B. 415, calling for the first-ever independent audit of Hawaii’s contract with CCA. 
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Urgent call to ACLU ‘Ohana!

The following bills are currently being considered for passage by Governor Lingle.  Please take a few minutes to contact the Governor today and ask her to defend civil liberties by passing H.B. 444, H.B. 415, S.B. 2533 and H.B. 2266 and vetoing S.B. 950. 

If you have already contacted the governor's office, thank you! Please urge your networks to contact her also!

The Honorable Linda Lingle
Governor, State of Hawaii
Executive Chambers
State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Tel: (808) 586-0034
Fax: (8080) 586-0006
Email: governor.lingle@hawaii.gov
Online Contact Form: https://cs.ehawaii.gov/gov-ors/ctg-ci.html (05/19/2010)
Support
1)  H.B. 444 establishes civil unions for both same-sex and different-sex couples in Hawaii.
Message:  "Please PASS H.B. 444"

2)  H.B. 415 directs the auditor to conduct a financial and management audit of the Department of Public Safety's contract with the Corrections Corporation of America (the private prison company that houses Hawaii's inmates on the mainland) and the federal detention center in Honolulu.
Message:  "Please PASS H.B. 415"

3) S.B. 2533 directs the auditor to conduct a financial and management audit of the Department of Public Safety's contract with the Corrections Corporation of America.
Message:  "Please PASS S.B. 2533"

4) H.B. 2266 requires the Department of Public Safety to address sexual assault in prison by requiring the department to provide annual data regarding acts of sexual assault and sexual misconduct and report to the Legislature on any implementation of the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act.
Message: "Please PASS H.B. 2266"

Oppose
1)  S.B. 950 authorizes law enforcement officers of the Department of Public Safety and conservation and resources enforcement officers of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to use electric guns (Tasers) while performing their duties.
Message:  "Please VETO S.B. 950"


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Lambda Legal & ACLU Hawaii publish "Fast Facts" guide to address frequently asked questions about civil unions/HB444

Get yours now (Adobe PDF reader required), and share with your networks. If you would like to get some brochures mailed to you, contact us via email <office@acluhawaii.org> or phone (808) 522-5900.
Please check back from time to time, as this document is a working version. Mahalo! http://www.acluhawaii.org/downloads/CU_mini.pdf (05/19/2010)

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ACLU of Hawai‘i Sets Annual Meeting for Sat., 6/5/10
After meeting, volunteers invited to march with ACLU in "Honolulu Pride Parade" IMPORTANT: Parade start point has changed! Was at Magic Island, now at the Waikiki Yacht Brokerage,  1651 Ala Moana Blvd. (behind the Hawaii Prince Hotel). NO PARKING at the brokerage, marchers are encouraged to park at Magic Island and walk over to the brokerage. 
(05/17/2010)


Visit the official Annual Meeting website, get the details, and RSVP by 6/1/10!
Requests for special accommodation requested by 5/20/10.
http://www.acluhawaii.org/index.php?id=380

Something different this year!
A short business meeting will be immediately followed by a call to action to support LGBT equality by volunteering for the ACLU marching delegation in the Honolulu Pride Parade & Celebration!

Read more >>>

Celebrate the Hawai‘i Legislature's Passage of Civil Unions! (04/30/2010)
The community should be proud of everyone’s collective achievements:  critical new protections for Hawaii ’s same-sex couples are on the horizon, and there is a greater public understanding about the equal worth of our families.  Lambda Legal and the ACLU are thrilled to see the years of determined community advocacy rewarded with the passage of H.B. 444 by the Legislature!  Congratulations!
  
Please join us for an impromptu, relaxed picnic in the park to recognize everyone's inspiring work and celebrate this great accomplishment.  We’ll bring the burgers, hot dogs, chips and soda!  Feel free to bring games, karaoke, your favorite foods, a blanket, chairs, music – anything that you would normally bring to a family picnic in the park.
  
When:  Sunday, May 2 at 4 pm
Where:  Archery Range at Kapiolani Park (mauka, between the tennis courts and the entrance to Poni Moi Road.
  
ADA accessibility: Because this celebration came together quickly, organizers had to take the first available location in the park. This area has uneven, gravelly ground and is unpaved. Restrooms are at either at the adjacent Tennis Court Complex, or at a comfort station across the street - we were unable to verify if  these are ADA-accessible. Please plan accordingly. 

 We thank the following co-sponsors of this celebration:
  
 *Da Moms
 *Equality Hawaii
 *Interfaith Alliance
 *Japanese American Citizens League, Honolulu Chapter
 * Musicians' Association of Hawaii
 *PFLAG Oahu
 *Pride Alliance Hawaii
 *Pride At Work Hawaii
 * Screen Actors Guild Hawaii Branch
 * UNITE HERE Local 5
  
Additional co-sponsors are welcome!  Please contact ljavier@lambdalegal.org  if your organization would like to co-sponsor this event.

Read more >>>

2009 Legal Program Report - now online! (.pdf format, 40 KB) (04/21/2010)

Read more >>>

• Settlement reached - 4/7/2010! (details to follow).
• Text of the TRO (since withdrawn as part of the settlement)
Federal Court Judge Slams D.O.E. & Maui County for “Clear Violation” of Title IX, U.S. Constitution (03/19/2010)
HONOLULU – In a victory for girls athletics, three Baldwin High School (“BHS”) softball players, their parents, and their coach were today granted their request for a preliminary injunction requiring the Hawaii State Department of Education (“DOE”) and the County of Maui (“County”) to immediately rectify their discriminatory treatment of the Baldwin High School girls’ softball team.  A court-appointed expert will recommend short term, immediate improvements to alleviate some of the more egregious disparities between the boys and girls playing fields.
Read more >>>

Breaking news: Hearing set for 3/19/10, 2:00 p.m. before Judge David Alan Ezra, U.S. District Court, 4th Floor.  300 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
Maui Girls’ Softball Team Sues D.O.E. & County to ‘Level the Playing Field’ (03/18/2010)
HONOLULU – Three Baldwin High School (“BHS”) softball players, their parents, and their coach are charging the Hawaii State Department of Education (“DOE”) and the County of Maui (“County”) with unfair discrimination against girls’ athletics.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii Foundation (“ACLU”) and Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing (“AHFI”) filed a lawsuit today in federal district court charging the DOE and County with violating the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act (also known as “Title IX”) and the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.  Plaintiffs seek an immediate court order that will give the BHS girls’ softball team equal access to playing fields before their season ends in May 2010.

Read more >>>

Mahalo to everyone who attended the Grassroots Celebration Sat. 2/20/2010.
Congratulations to our awardees, and a big mahalo to keynote speaker Anthony Romero!

Thanks to our sponsors, performers and the organizations who made the day so special.

See a detailed list of sponsors, performers and organizations here.
Check out event photos here.

(if you have more event photos and would like to add them to this Flickr set, please send your .jpg images of up to 15 MB total to office@acluhawaii.org)
(03/12/2010)

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