Newsgroups: soc.motss,soc.bi From: johnf@uhheph.phys.hawaii.edu (John Flanagan) Subject: Hawai`i Marriage: Good news from Maui Organization: University of Hawaii, Dept. of Physics & Astronomy Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 11:27:30 GMT Encouraging news: here is a letter to the community from Maui, which describes how the hearings on same-sex marriage there went last Thursday. Typos mine, of course. Quick summary: We beat 'em, 61 to 54! --------------------------Begin Letter------------------------------- October 3, 1993 Aloha Friends: Thank you for your interest in the Marriage Project, and your concern for equal rights for all people in the State of Hawaii and our nation. This project is a very exciting one, as we are making history and bringing about dramatic change for our community. We organized here on Maui just days before the Judiciary Committee hearing on same-sex marriage held September 30th in the Maui County Council Chambers. With some insight and assistance from GLCC/Marriage Project members on Oahu, and our desire on Maui to speak out for our rights, to preserve our integrity and move forward, we mobilized, we acted. And guess what -- WE WON, and WE WON BIG!! We won not only in numbers testifying in our favor but also in the integrity of what was said. We were able to bring together a great cross-section of Maui residents from lesbians and gay men (of course) and many of our non-gay friends. Testifying on our behalf were straight ministers, pastors, psychotherapists, attorneys, and a physician. The diversity of our testifiers alone made a tremendous statement and had a great impact throughout the evening of the hearing. Some of us shared our personal lives and experiences while others quoted equal rights laws. The Reverend Kathryn Nesbit, testifying on our behalf, stated "As one Christian and one citizen, I simply do not believe that legitimizing same-sex unions in any way threatens or devalues traditional family structures." The reverend George Bement of the Kihei Lutheran Church told the committee that it's important to note that those opposed to same-sex marriage do not speak for all churchgoers and committed Christians. He went on to say "When we talk about homosexuals, we are not talking about freaks or perverts. We are talking about people; people who are children of God and citizens of this great state." This experience was a very exciting and empowering one for us all on Maui. It was so empowering that for days following the hearing we all have been on a spiritual high, calling each other, congratulating each other. This has re-energized those of us who had become tired or complacent and lit a positive spark for those who had been living in the closet with the door cracked open (one person used the experience as their coming out process). Admittedly, though, the hearing was at times nerve wracking and upsetting. To hear the lies and religious scripture, the fear and homophobia, form those who testified against same-sex marriage was difficult. For me though, what I heard form the opposition was not surprising at all, as I've already heard it all. Having moved to Maui from Oregon a year ago where we have been fighting the religious right for some years now prepared me. I have learned to listen and then respond in a positive way, to bring about positive change. The way we can respond is by educating the Judiciary Committee through our testimony at the hearings, not by trying to change the minds of those who are testifying against same-sex marriage. And, by writing to our elected officials, and organizing and mobilizing our community. Through some advance work and one meeting we made a difference. With flyers, a feature article in the Maui News Sunday edition, the early publication of Both Sides Now Newsletter, and phone trees, we were able to get the word out and mobilize. We put into action a pass the word along, using the 2-2-2 method (each person calls/talks to two people, those two people pass the word on to two people each, who in turn....and so on). This method was effective. We can make a difference for ourselves, our brothers and sisters, our state and nation. Let's come together, work together to bring an end to discrimination. Sincerely, Jon Berliner, Maui -------------------------End Letter--------------------------------- After the way the Kaua`i hearings went, you can imagine what a shot in the arm this is for everybody. As always, feel free to redistribute. Two down, three to go (for now), --John -- John Flanagan ||Polena pa`a `ia iho ke aloha, johnf@uhheph.phys.hawaii.edu || i kuleana like ai kaua. U. of Hawaii, Dept. of Physics & Astro.|| (In love tightly bound, 2505 Correa Rd., Honolulu, HI 96822 ||you and I share equal rights.)