Hawaii Takes Step to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Next month, Hawaii's governor has called a special legislative assembly to debate a bill legalizing gay marriage, in what would make it the 14th US state to do so.

Lawmakers in the Pacific island state will meet from October 28 to discuss a bill "to address the issue of marriage equity," said Governor Neil Abercrombie, who in 2011 signed a law legalizing same-sex civil unions.

Same-Sex Marriage Supporters Hold Mock Wedding Banquet to Drum Up Support for Gay Marriage Bill
With the parliament set to vote on a same-sex marriage bill soon, over 1,200 people in Taiwan attended a mock wedding banquet on Sunday in an attempt to gain support for the bill.

"The purpose of the Act as stated in the bill is to recognize marriages between individuals of the same sex ... and to address questions of equity, civilly and otherwise," he said.

"I've spent my entire life, politically, trying to find what's the fairest thing to do," he tweeted a short time later.

Attorney General David Louis said that, if the bill is approved, Hawaii could start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples from November 18.

Oz Prime Minister Promises to Introduce Gay Marriage Bill If Elected Back into Office
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that he will introduce a new bill to legalize same-sex unions if he was returned to the office.

Thirteen US states plus the capital Washington, a federal district, allow gay marriage.

In June, the US Supreme Court voted for the repeal of the defense of traditional marriage, which prevented same-sex couples from enjoying the same rights as heterosexual couples.

Gay Marriage Wins Wider Acceptance in US
Across the United States, as gay marriage wins wider acceptance, support for therapy aimed at converting homosexuals appears to be losing ground.

Source-AFP

Queen Elizabeth II Gives Assent to British Gay Marriage Law
After Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal assent to a bill approved by lawmakers, paving the way for the first same sex weddings in 2014, Britain legalised gay marriage.