The Hawai`i LGBT Legal Association (HLLA) will bring together Hawai`i’s most prominent jurists, legislators, and activists to discuss marriage equality on May 20, 2009 in suite 2000 of 1099 Alakea Street in Honolulu.  Refreshments will begin at 5:30 pm, speakers will commence at 6:00 pm. 

“What Right to Control our Destiny?  Hawai`i's Quest for Marriage Equality” will feature retired Hawai`i Supreme Court Associate Justice Steven H. Levinson, State House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, Hawai`i State Board of Education Member Kim Coco Iwamoto, and Attorney JoAnn Adams. 
 
HLLA is the first voluntary organization made up of LGBT legal professionals in Hawai`i.  It was founded in late-2008 by Kathleen Doty, Sean Smith, and Mitsuko Takahashi.  The organization’s mission is to assist LGBT legal professionals and to provide support and resources to the people of Hawai`i on LGBT issues.  HLLA is an affiliate of the National LGBT Bar Association, and is seeking recognition from the Hawaii State Bar Association.  While the organization has hosted various social and networking gatherings, this is its first substantive event.
 
"We are proud to launch this organization – and to bring knowledgeable and influential voices to the table on an issue of great importance to our community," said Kathleen Doty, HLLA President. "Our state Constitution, in its preamble, reserves to us, the people of Hawai`i, the right to control our destinies.  The evening promises to provide an insightful discussion of the past, present, and future of marriage equality in our state."  
Retired Associate Justice Steven H. Levinson served on the Hawai`i Supreme Court from 1992 to 2008.  He authored the 1993 opinion in Baehr v. Lewin, which held that the denial of marriage licenses to same-sex couples was discrimination on the basis of sex.  In 2006, Justice Levinson was the recipient of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association’s and the ABA’s Section on Individual rights and Responsibilities’ 2006 Allies for Justice Award.

House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro represents the Aiea, Halawa and Red Hill District on O‘ahu.  From 2000 to 2008, Rep. Oshiro served as the Vice-Chair for the Judiciary Committee and as the House Majority Floor Leader.  This legislative session, Rep. Oshiro introduced HB 444, which would create civil unions for same-sex couples.
Kim Coco Iwamoto, a public interest attorney and licensed therapeutic foster parent, was elected to the Hawai`i State Board of Education in 2006.  Ms. Iwamoto has testified in support of civil unions because she believes that state-sanctioned bigotry has measurable negative impacts on students and their families. 

JoAnn Adams is an estate planning attorney with the Law Offices of Jo-Ann Adams, LLLC.   She is also a founder of the GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i and has been lobbying for GLBT legislation since 2001.

"We are grateful to our speakers for joining us in our inaugural event and look forward to a lively discussion with our members and guests," said Clyde Wadsworth, a member of HLLA’s board of directors.

“What Right to Control our Destiny?  Hawai`i's Quest for Marriage Equality” will be held at 1099 Alakea Street, Suite 2000, Honolulu, HI 96813 on May 20, 2009.  The event is open to the public, and entrance is free with a suggested donation of $10.00. 

 

Refreshments will be served starting at 5:30 pm.  Speakers will commence at 6:00 pm.
For more information, visit www.hawaiilgbtlegalassociation.org.  RSVP requested to HLLA.org@gmail.com or call 808-429-7713.