House Bill 907: Seeks to Authorize Civil Unions

Authors:
Representatives Calvin K.Y. Say and Blake K. Oshiro

Summary:
House Bill 907 was carried over from the 2007 legislative session. This bill would have authorized civil unions and provided same-sex couples many of the same benefits and rights reserved for married men and women.

House Bill 907 would have created “Civil Unions” for same-sex couples and men and women who live together but do not want to get married. The bill would have granted the same rights of a spouse to same-sex couples in health care, employee benefits, probate (wills), death and burial.

While the bill defined this relationship as a “Civil Union” its purpose was to recognize same-sex relationships as equal to a marriage in above mentioned areas. If this bill passed, “Civil Union” would have been the same as a “husband” or “wife” and would have been defined as a “family” in these respective areas.

Why did Home School Legal Defense Association oppose this bill? Our freedom to educate our children is based upon “Western civilization concepts of the family as a unit with broad parental authority over minor children.” Same-sex marriage or domestic partnerships attack the traditions of the family in Western civilization upon which the foundation of parental choice in education and basic parental rights are based upon.

House Bill 907 was the first step in recognizing same-sex relationships as marriage in Hawaii.

Status:

8/27/2008

Carried over to 2008 Regular Session

Bill died when legislature adjourned.

HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA opposed H.B. 907

Action Requested:
No Action is requested at this time.

Background:
How does defining marriage as being between one man and one woman potentially affect your right to homeschool your children? Here is what the Supreme Court said in 2000 in the case of Troxel v. Granville:

“Our jurisprudence historically has reflected Western civilization concepts of the family as a unit with broad parental authority over minor children. Our cases have consistently followed that course.”

Thus, parental rights are based on “western civilization concepts of the family.” When those concepts are no longer the legal definition of the family in this nation, then the foundation upon which parental rights are based is completely removed. Therefore, HSLDA will continue to fight against same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage attacks the traditions of the family in western civilization. This is an attack on parental rights. This is a battle the homeschooling movement cannot afford to lose.

Other Resources

Bill Text (html)