Schatz Celebrates Marriage Equality Becoming Law in Hawai‘i

Washington, DC--Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz released the following statement celebrating Governor Abercrombie signing SB1, which ensures marriage equality for all individuals in the State of Hawai‘i, into law.

“Today we achieved a long-fought victory for civil rights in Hawai‘i,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz. “I congratulate those who have dedicated years, and even decades, to seeing marriage equality become a reality. This is a historic and celebratory day for many Hawai‘i families, who will now be treated equally under the law, regardless of who they love.”

Linda Schatz testified before the Hawai‘i legislature on behalf of the Schatz family in support of marriage equality during the legislature’s consideration of SB1.

In March, Senator Schatz signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the Court to strike down the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that barred same-sex marriage.  Following signing on, he released a statement: “Denying committed couples the right to marry is unacceptable. It is my hope that the arguments heard in the Supreme Court will further prove what millions of Americans know is just—marriage equality must be a constitutional right for all Americans.”

On Capitol Hill today, Senator Schatz participated in the No H8 Campaign, the nation’s leading advocacy group committed to achieving marriage equality. The No H8 Campaign was founded in an effort to defeat Proposition 8, the law banning same-sex marriage in California that was deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge.