Backers ponder strategy for gay marriage proposal

For someone who once held a one-woman sit-in in then-Gov. George Ariyoshi’s office to protest the lack of women state appointees, speaking her mind is something that comes easily to Rep. Cynthia Thielen.

The veteran Republican legislator from Kailua now says she wishes she had spoken up earlier on the issue of gay marriage.

For legislators, the issue has been on slow simmer since the bill allowing civil unions passed. For gays hoping to get legally married and for those opposed, the issue is red hot.

Now it is somewhat before the Legislature as the Abercrombie administration has advanced a bill allowing for gay marriage.

"This is a quest for dignity," Gov. Neil Abercrombie told a rally Wednesday afternoon at the state Capitol.

The quest, however, is more of an amble than a fast march.

The legislators do not have the needed super-majority to call themselves back into session to amend state law and Abercrombie is framing the issue in terms of "if and when I call a special session."

The state GOP has been primed to make an issue of the bill, although not in support. Thielen is the only one of her seven-member GOP caucus supporting gay marriage.

"Forcing this heated issue through an abbreviated session will only stifle public input, which should be the most important part of the legislative process. Gov. Abercrombie should be welcoming, not suppressing, the voice of the public on this issue," the Hawaii GOP said in a statement.

Thielen, an attorney, says she has read one of the versions of the bill, and says, "I am prepared to vote for it. I do believe it is an equality issue.

"I only wish I had come to that decision earlier," Thielen said.

The local GOP, she reported, has not pressured her on the issue.

In fact, although the GOP block is tiny, it is still a part of the coalition running things in the House, so both sides have to be on their best behavior, or at least check their weapons at the door.

"Many people who oppose it would prefer it to be in regular session where it is not rushed," said Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson, House GOP leader.

There is a tactical advantage for the bill’s supporters to push gay marriage through in a special legislative session.

Holding the session now allows a decision before any large opposition can be mounted. So far, a coalition of 100 Christian ministers has voiced the loudest protest, but if the fight is delayed until January, opponents will have the time to create a louder voice.

Also, if gay marriage becomes one issue among many during the regulation 2014 session, it is subject to the usual political vote-trading, hostage-taking and brinksmanship of daily political reality.

The Senate Democrats report they have the votes to pass a gay marriage bill, and if they come into a special session, they would move the bill first and leave it to the House to decide.

Estimates for the votes in the 51-member House range from 26 to 30, with some refusing to commit.

"The Democrats are having the same discussions," said Johanson.

Whether any of it comes in time for a special session is still unclear.

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Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.