Hawaii has always been a hot spot for LGBT tourism thanks to his liberal atmosphere on LGBT couples and same-sex civil unions. However, the paradise island of love fell into social battle recently as lawmakers argued over whether or not to legalize same-sex marriage there. Now, after weeks of debate, the island state has now officially legalized same-sex marriage. According to the Associated Press, yesterday, Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill making Hawaii the latest state to legally recognize same-sex marriages. “In Hawaii, we believe in fairness, justice and human equality,” Abercrombie said Tuesday after the state Senate passed the gay marriage bill. “Today, we celebrate our diversity defining us rather than dividing us.” The fight for marriage equality in Hawaii began back in 1990 when a lesbian couple applied for a marriage license, leading to a court battle that resulted in the 1993 Hawaii Supreme Court decision that said their rights to equal protection were violated by not letting them marry. However, the case was later used to create the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. Afterwards, Abercrombie called a special session that produced Hawaii’s gay marriage law. Beginning Dec. 2, same-sex couples living in Hawaii will have their unions legally recognized and protected, and tourists wanting to get married on the island will be legally allowed to wed there as well. Hawaii now joins 14 other states and the District of Columbia as a U.S. state that has legalized same-sex marriage. The state of Illinois is waiting on its governor to sign a bill, which will legalize same-sex marriage in the state. We commend Hawaii on helping to spread marriage equality and congratulate them on the $217 million in gay tourism they’re estimated to earn over the next three years thanks to their decision to allow same-sex marriage. Now that’s one hell of a union between business and love. Check out what President Obama had to say about Hawaii’s new marriage equality after the cut. – nicholas robinsonwww.facebook.com/NicholasHarborOfficialwww.twitter.com/Nicholas_Harbor
