Very soon, Hawaii's anti-gay groups, now plentiful and well financed, will be virulently attacking gay and lesbian people through their expanding campaign of fear. I am hopeful, however, that their attacks will ultimately backfire. Judge Chang's ruling has generated a great deal of discussion, debate and education. Ultimately, this education will help to reveal the truth about gay and lesbian families. The public is learning that it is bigotry and intolerance they should fear, not same-gender marriage.
Marriage is an important right of passage in our society.
It represents a maturity as one leaves his or her family of origin and forges a new family. Gay and lesbian couples live together and commit their lives to each other. But they lack the legal right to be each other's sole support, to make medical decisions for each other, to be legally connected parents for their children and to be each others' beneficiaries without facing legal challenges. This issue, however, goes far beyond legal rights and responsibilities. We urge all married people to consider what life would be like if your spouse were a legal stranger to you, and your relationship deemed unworthy of legal recognition.