Hawaii Responds to AZ Secretary of State Ken Bennett’s Birther request - WATCH

Hawaii now have Employment Protections for the Transgendered Community

Tony Wagner from HRC with Kim Coco Iwamoto, Hawaii State Board of Education member and a high ranking transgender official

Sorry to be late on this, but Hawaii passed the bill that provides job protection to the Trans community.

The Hawaii Senate approved a bill, previously passed by the House, to ban discrimination based on gender identity and expression in the workplace.

"The march towards full equality in the Aloha State continues," said Alan Spector, Equality Hawaii Co-Chair. "Providing employment protections to transgender citizens in Hawaii is a victory for civil rights and equal treatment under the law for all residents of our great state."

Equality Hawaii and The Human Rights Campaign worked together to build support for HB 546, which passed by a 22 to 2 vote on Tuesday.

Discrimination against transgender individuals is already illegal in Hawaii for housing, public accommodations and employment, but the ban on employment discrimination has only been established by rulings of the Civil Rights Commission and has not been written into the state statute.

Gov. Neil Abercromie said he will sign it into law.

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Hawaii Lawmakers Ban Trans Discrimination in the Workplace

In Hawaii, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill that will ban workplace discrimination based on gender identity.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Monday approved the bill, which was previously passed in the House. The vote was 3-2 with Sens. Mike Gabbard and Sam Slom opposed.


Discrimination against transgender individuals and others based on their expression of gender is already illegal in Hawaii for housing, public accommodations and employment, but the ban on employment discrimination has been establish by rulings of the Civil Rights Commission and has not been written into the state statute. The bill approved Monday by the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, HB 546, would write the anti-discrimination language into labor law.


Advocates said the law is necessary because employers are confused because the language is not specifically in the statute. Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed an identical bill six years ago, but Judiciary Chairman Sen. Clayton Hee said Monday he is confident the provision will become law.


It still faces negotiations with the House, but the differences between the two houses are technical and not expected to prevent passage.

So there will be more to come on this issue. I'm hoping for the best.

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My Hawaii Vacation Breakdown

Hi All,

I'm back from Hawaii (Oahu) after spending 5 great days on the island. I have some pics to share with y'all, as well as, some things I learned about the people and the places. 

So, here is my rundown on the vacation.

• I was taught that Spam was for the less fortunate, however it is the food of the Gods in Hawaii.
• Waikiki is the new Las Vegas. But, it's a prettier tourist trap.
• If you go, don't eat on the strip, actually eat behind the main strip or in town.
• There version of pulled pork ain't the version of pulled pork I'm used to.
• The ABC Stores run that island.
• The Polynesian men are hot! For real!
• It's very carefree and laid-back in Hawaii. Everyone wore board shorts, tank tops and flip-flops. Fashion was not the deal.
• Cut off jeans are making a comeback.
• The ocean is so clear, y'all I tell you how beautiful it is.
• If you go to the island, try to stay next to the sea. You will love it.
• The seafood is really, really good.
• A lot of fanny packs come to Hawaii and LIVE FOREVER
• Hawaii is clearly an Obama state. You can get Obama dildos on any corner.
• Diversity is really alive in Hawaii. So many beautiful people and cultures coming together very well on the island.

Here are some random pics from the trip.

Leaving Hawaii

It was fun, but I gotta come home. I will give my rundown later.

Late Night View: On Top of Oahu

A few pics from Hawaii

You knew I had to put my favorite store on here

I want to write something about this tunnel

This is our hotel lobby

This is outside our hotel

We are hanging out here tomorrow

Morning View from Oahu

I'm Heading to Hawaii

Hey All

We are on our way to Hawaii for a lazy vacation. I've never been there, so I'm excited to see what the hype is all about.

Of course I'll keep posting, probably complaining about Wonder Woman and posting pics.

Hawaii Legislature approves Civil Unions

Hawaii Civil Unions bill passed both Senate and House and now is set for the governor's signature!

Senate Bill 232 was approved by a 18-5 vote.

 

It now goes to Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who supports civil unions and has promised to sign the bill into law.

"I have always believed that civil unions respect our diversity, protect people's privacy, and reinforce our core values of equality and aloha," Abercrombie said in a statement after the vote. 

"I appreciate all the time and effort invested by those who shared their thoughts and concerns regarding civil unions in Hawaii. This has been an emotional process for everyone involved, but that process is now ended.  Everyone has been heard; all points of view respected. 

"For me, this bill represents equal rights for all the people of Hawaii," Abercrombie said.

 

Hawaii becomes the seventh state to grant civil unions to same-sex couples without authorizing marriage itself. Five states and Washington, D.C., permit same-sex marriage.

 

It's a good day in Hawaii!

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