Governor of Hawaii signs equal marriage into law: ‘Another universe is about to change for all time’
The Governor of Hawaii has signed same-sex marriage into law, just a day after the state’s Senate gave the legislation for its approval.
“Finally, today now all those who have been invisible will be visible to themselves and the whole world,” Mr Abercrombie said.
The governor added that ne never expected to “have both the opportunity and responsibility” to do something as profound as making same-sex marriage legal. “Another universe is about to change for all time,” he said to an audience wearing rainbow coloured leis.
Earlier, US President Barack Obama has applauded his birthplace Hawaii for becoming the 15th US state to legalise same-sex marriage, saying “I have always been proud to have been born in Hawaii, and today’s vote makes me even prouder.”
The President issued his statement immediately after the state Senate gave its final approval to the bill on Tuesday.
He said: “With today’s vote, Hawaii joins a growing number of states that recognise that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters should be treated fairly and equally under the law.
“Whenever freedom and equality are affirmed, our country becomes stronger. By giving loving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry if they choose, Hawaii exemplifies the values we hold dear as a nation.”
Obama added that he has “always been proud to have been born in Hawaii, and today’s vote makes me even prouder.”
The measured cleared the state’s senate 19 votes to 4. One Republican senator and three Democrats voted against equality.
Same-sex marriages will be conducted from 2 December 2013.
