Hawaii State Senate Backs Gay Marriage

In a 20-4 vote, Hawaii's state Senate has passed a bill to allow gay marriage; the bill now heads to the state House of Representatives, where the vote could be closer, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser notes. That chamber is also likely to amend the Senate's version of the bill, which says clergy aren't required to perform ceremonies. "The House committees recognize that there is still a lot of public concern about the scope of the exemptions," says majority leader Scott Saiki. Any amendment would need a Senate review before heading to the governor's office. (More Hawaii stories.)