U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa’s position on gay marriage has evolved over the past year. The congresswoman, who is running in the Democratic primary next year against U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, now supports marriage equality:
"The time for marriage equality has definitely come." — Hanabusa, in an interview this month announcing her U.S. Senate campaign
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"Marriage equality is a complicated issue that calls upon us to re-examine deeply held values. And like many in Hawaii and our nation, I find that time, experience, and reflection have had an effect on my views.
"As may be expected for Americans of my generation, I grew up with the assumption that marriage should be between a man and a woman. However, I have argued forcefully and consistently for equal rights for all Americans. I am proud of the work I did to help write and pass Hawaii’s civil unions law, my support of the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ and my co-sponsorship of the Respect for Marriage Act, which calls for federal recognition of any marriage that is valid in the state in which it was licensed.
"I support marriage equality. It has taken the nation time to arrive at this point, but today I believe that our nation can no longer deny same-sex couples the rights and benefits of marriage." — In a statement in December 2012, in response to questions from the Democratic Party of Hawaii’s state central committee as she sought appointment to replace the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye
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"The definition of marriage has always been a matter for the states to decide. The federal government should accept any marriage that is legal in the state in which it was performed." — In a Star-Advertiser questionnaire before the August 2012 primary for urban Honolulu’s 1st Congressional District
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"I have always believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman. However, I have argued forcefully and consistently for the rights of all Americans. I am proud of the work I did to help write and first pass Hawaii’s civil unions law, my support of the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ and my co-sponsorship of the Respect for Marriage Act, which calls for federal recognition of any marriage that is valid in the state in which it was licensed.
"The issue of same-sex marriage is now before a number of courts and legislative bodies across the nation. If court rulings or legislative acts grant same-sex partners the right to marry, nationally or in the state of Hawaii, I will fully support those decisions." — In a statement in May 2012 after President Barack Obama announced his support for marriage equality
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"I support civil unions. The state Senate took up civil unions early in the legislative session with HB 444, which passed out of Senate. I supported that bill because it applied to both same-sex and heterosexual couples, and it helped to protect benefits such as Social Security for elderly couples who would lose benefits if they married.
"I am pleased that HB 444 was approved by the state House because I think it is a good bill in support of civil unions. Now it’s up to the governor. And finally, I have always been consistent in my belief that marriage be defined as being between a man and a woman." — In a statement in May 2010 on a civil unions bill approved by the state Legislature
