Lawmakers in Hawaii (the state that started it all) approve civil unions; governor's decision pending

In 1993, the Hawaii Supreme Court ordered the state government to show a compelling interest why same-sex couples should be prohibited from marrying.  A subsequent voter-approved change to the state constitution cut the legs out from under that decision, and the legislature voted to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. But the brief prospect that gays might be able to marry in Hawaii set off a stampede in Congress and other states to enact so-called "defense of marriage" acts.

Now, the state's lawmakers have approved a bill that would give same-sex and heterosexual couples the ability to enter into civil unions and enjoy the same rights as married couples under state law (though these would still not be "marriages"). The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, who has not said whether she would sign, veto or allow the bill to become law without her signature.

-SS