Hawaii Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill, House to Vote
HONOLULU - The Hawaii state Senate has passed a bill legalizing gay marriage, sending the measure to the House.
The Senate passed the bill during a midday session on Wednesday, with senators approving the measure 20-4.
Democratic Sen. Clayton Hee said before voting for the bill that the moment is career-defining and lawmakers should embrace it.
Hee says Hawaii should expand its definition of aloha to truly include everyone regardless of sexual orientation.
The bill is expected to face a more difficult path in the House than the Senate, though both chambers are dominated by Democrats.
The House plans to refer the bill later Wednesday to a joint committee hearing on Thursday. The hearing is likely to be jammed with public testimony, with the possibility of being extended to a second day.