LAC News
Hawaii State Senator Reprimanded for Opposing Homosexual Unions
By By Rebekah Tooley
September 2009

Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard (D-19) was formally disciplined by his fellow state Democrats for opposing H.B. 444, a bill which extends the same rights, benefits, protections, and responsibilities of marriage to partners in a civil union.

Democrats allege that last session Sen. Gabbard organized a plan to oppose a civil-unions bill, which, they claim, “undermined the party’s platform in favor of equality and civil rights.”  Despite Sen. Gabbard’s clear communication that his choice to transfer over to the Democratic party (2007) was not a choice to change his position to oppose abortion and homosexual unions, his fellow Democrats still insist that his behavior is a kind of betrayal — a betrayal deserving of a reprimand. 

Gabbard’s choice to represent the will of his constituents apparently was not conducive to his own party’s wishes.   “Members of both parties are voted into office by the people, not by party members,” Concerned Women for America (CWA) of Hawaii State Director Barbara Ferraro explains.  “In this case, they need to respond to the will of their constituents and vote accordingly, not letting other party members sway them.”

After appealing his reprimand to the Democratic state central committee, the committee narrowly voted not to dismiss it.  Sen. Gabbard, however, has not allowed this controversy to distract him from representing the people of Hawaii.  He encourages the people to speak up for what they stand for, and to speak through their vote. 

“I believe Sen. Gabbard is to be commended for speaking out against civil unions, in spite of what the Democratic platform issues are and in spite of the threat of either a reprimand or even possible censure and expulsion,” Ferraro says.  “CWA of Hawaii will continue to ask for his support in the fight against civil unions and abortion, both of which are against God’s laws.”

Please contact Sen. Gabbard and thank him for taking this principled stand.  He can be contacted at:

Senator Mike Gabbard
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 201
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

E-mail: sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov

Phone: 808-586-6830 

If you are interested in getting involved with CWA of Hawaii or for general information, please go to http://hi.cwfa.org or e-mail director@hi.cwfa.org . If you would like to get involved with one of our other fine state organizations, please visit the CWA in the states site.