Next chapter in same-sex saga

Hawaii, once at the forefront of the gay marriage issue, is dealing with it anew on legal and legislative fronts

By Lee Catterall

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 19, 2012

~~<p>Nearly 20 years ago, at the forefront of the issue, Hawaii's Supreme Court ruled that the ban of same-sex marriage appeared unconstitutional and ordered the state to show a "compelling state interest" why same-gender couples couldn't wed.</p>
<p>Mainland states had yet to begin the legal fight, but the prospect of gay couples flocking to Hawaii to exchange vows suddenly became a hot national issue. Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, refusing federally to recognize same-sex marriage. President Bill Clinton signed DOMA into law after a spokesman denounced the measure as "gay-baiting."</p>
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Nearly 20 years ago, at the forefront of the issue, Hawaii's Supreme Court ruled that the ban of same-sex marriage appeared unconstitutional and ordered the state to show a "compelling state interest" why same-gender couples couldn't wed.

Mainland states had yet to begin the legal fight, but the prospect of gay couples flocking to Hawaii to exchange vows suddenly became a hot national issue. Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, refusing federally to recognize same-sex marriage. President Bill Clinton signed DOMA into law after a spokesman denounced the measure as "gay-baiting." Login for more...