Gay Marriage Laws in Hawaii

In 1993, the State Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage in Hawaii. However, the Supreme court was overruled by an amendment that stated the Supreme court did not have that decision making authority. Gay marriage in Hawaii was quickly made illegal by the legislature. However, Hawaii does allow for some rights as they relate to domestic partnership. In 1997, Hawaii began to offer reciprocal beneficiary registration. Gay marriage in Hawaii is not legal, but same sex couples can be afforded the same rights as married couples. In Hawaii, gay marriage is only illegal by definition. In fact, same sex couples in Hawaii are afforded more rights that in most states.

In Hawaii, gay marriage is not legally recognized. However, couples can enter into an agreement that affords them many rights in regards to their relationship. Reciprocal beneficiary registration allows couples to be entitled to some rights that are usually obtained through a legal marriage. For instance, couples acquire inheritance rights and the right to acquire health insurance through their partner.

One benefit that many individuals feel is vital, is the right to make decisions regarding health care. In fact, many LGBT couples in the United States, are unable to make those decisions as they relate to their partner. In fact, when a partner in hospitalized, the other partner is often unable to get information regarding their partners condition because they are not considered family.

In addition to these rights, couples are entitled to pensions and the right to own property jointly. Like marriage, individuals can not enter into more than one reciprocal beneficiary registration. While gay marriage in Hawaii is still illegal, couples can benefit from the rights that the state affords individuals in a reciprocal beneficiary registration.

In Hawaii, gay marriage is not technically legal. However, Hawaii affords couples the opportunity to enter into a written agreement that will offer them the opportunity to enjoy rights that are only usually afforded to married couples. Gay marriage in Hawaii is simply not legally recognized because of the definition of marriage.

However, same sex couples are free to enjoy the many benefits and responsibilities of marriage without having the designation of marriage. There are few states that offer same sex couples the opportunity to enjoy those rights. In Hawaii, gay marriage is likely to be legally recognized sooner than in many other states. In fact, in Hawaii, gay marriage is allowed contractually through reciprocal beneficiary registration.