HONOLULU- Four same sex couples will enter into civil unions shortly after the clock strikes midnight on January 1, 2012. A private ceremony is planned at an undisclosed home in East Oahu to mark the historic event.
Tambry Young and Suzanne King, two women who were married in Massachusetts in 2009, are helping the couples coordinate the event as members of the CU in Hawaii 2012 Planning Committee.
“They had fittings that they had to go to (and) they've got family flying in,” said King. “It's really exciting.”
One of the four couples taking part in the New Year’s Eve event has been together for the past thirty-three years.
“They've seen some of their friends pass away before this actually could be enacted, so it's an important step for them,” said Young.
While civil unions are not considered marriage, the legally binding agreement provides many of the same legal rights and benefits of marriage. Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed the civil unions’ bill into law on February 23, making Hawaii the fifth state in the nation to recognize such ceremonies.
For the past ten months the State Health Department has been drawing up plans for an online application process for same sex couples who want to take advantage of Hawaii’s new law.
“The Department of Health did a tremendous job in getting this system up and running,” said Young. “So basically what happens is twelve midnight the system goes live.”
Those who want to perform civil unions or enter into such a covenant can complete their registration online at http://hawaii.gov/health. The Health Department has a Frequently Asked Questions page to help with the registration process. Couples are also urged to contact the CU in Hawaii 2012 Planning Committee with any questions or concerns.
“We can help them kind of walk through that to make sure that they have everything up and running,” said Young.
Other state agencies have also been updating their rules and regulations in order to make certain that civil union couples have the same rights as heterosexual married couples.
“I think everybody's realizing that this is the next step in our evolution to get full equality and I think everyone's taking it serious,” said Young.
For both Young and King, January 1 will also mark a turning point in their thirty year relationship. Their marriage in Massachusetts will also be recognized as a civil union here in Hawaii.
“Part of the process is me changing my name to Suzanne Young, which will be effective January 1,” said King. “That's pretty awesome.”
Young and King were forced to terminate their reciprocal benefits agreement in Hawaii before the state could recognize their partnership as a civil union.
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