Churches, Hawaii Lawmakers Meet on Marriage Bill

Religious leaders in Hawaii have been meeting with state lawmakers about a religious exemption in pending gay marriage legislation, balancing opposition to the bill with trying to protect their interests as much as possible should it pass.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Friday (http://bit.ly/16Kd6bA ) that leaders trying to strengthen the exemptions still mainly want to persuade the Legislature to vote down the bill.

Lawmakers will take up gay marriage in a special session starting Oct. 28. The session was called by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

The current draft exempts religious organizations and related facilities from hosting gay marriages if the facilities aren't used primarily as for-profit businesses.

Gary Secor, vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, says the diocese doesn't want to give lawmakers and excuse to vote for the bill.