A same-sex couple is suing the University of Hawaii after being excluded from married student housing on campus.
Joseph O’Leary and Phi Ngo applied for family housing, but the university denied their request, stating that Hawaii has defined marriage as between one man and one woman. A 1998 constitutional amendment reserves the right of the Legislature to limit marriage.
Jeff Johnston, gender issues analyst for Focus on the Family, said the state has a vested interest in keeping traditional families intact.
“The state recognizes marriage as a unique institution to help a couple stay together and bring up the next generation,” he said. “Because the state of Hawaii recognizes this, gay activists are bypassing the Legislature and the people and attacking marriage in the courts. I hope the court stands strong and affirms Hawaii’s definition of marriage."
