Hawaii, the state that adopted the nation's first "defense of marriage" constitutional amendment a decade ago, has now become the latest battleground in the fight for same-sex civil unions.

It would become the fifth state to legalize the alternative to gay marriage if the Democrat-dominated Legislature and Republican governor approve a civil union law. The measure was passed by the state House this month but it now faces the Senate, where a divided committee is to vote Tuesday.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has declined to comment on the issue and it's unclear whether she would veto the bill.

Gay rights organizations argue that civil unions would promote basic equality in the nation's most ethnically diverse state, but opponents fear the erosion of an island culture that values conventional family ties.

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Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Law & Legal Issues • Marriage & Family • Sexuality • --Civil Unions & Partnerships

1. Jim the Puritan wrote: 8,000 people showed up at the Capitol on Sunday to demonstrate against same-sex marriage.  50-75 from the “Interfaith Alliance” showed up on Monday to demonstrate support.  Guess which group got all the media coverage? February 24, 2:56 pm | [comment link]

2. Harvey wrote: #1, Of course; what can we expect?  As biased as most of our papers appear to be.  To paraphrase an old phrase; ” the liberals may be going so far left should give some concern.  Go extreme left far enough and long enough and you might find yourself coming out extreme righ…”. February 24, 4:10 pm | [comment link]

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