Hawaii legislators to vote on civil unions

The Associated Press is reporting that Hawaii legislators will vote on civil unions, most likely today.  Hawaii was where the same-sex marriage battles began back in the 1990's.

While the measure is expected to pass, it is still unclear if Republican Governor Linda Lingle will sign or veto the bill.  She has urged the legislature to drop the measure, arguing that time should be spent on economic issues.  (I love it when politicians say that, as if equality weren't an economic issue.  It is, of course.  It's just an economic issue  for people they don't care about.)

AP also writes:

Elswehere, at least one other state, New Mexico, appears poised to seriously consider a civil union measure. Bills in Illinois and Minnesota also may surface. Colorado, Wisconsin, Maryland and Maine have limited laws allowing same-gender civil unions. Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut permit same-sex marriage.

 Slowly but surely.