State Rep. Bob McDermott wants voters to decide whether Hawaii should have same-sex marriage. Instead of a special session to hear a bill, McDermott, a Republican, wants a constitutional amendment question on the ballot.

McDermott warns that legalizing gay marriage will “disenfranchise” bisexuals and possibly legitimize polygamy and polyamorous relationships. Unintended consequences would likely include lawsuits.

“The bill to legalize same-sex marriage is being done quickly and sneakily as they know the people, given the chance to speak, will not approve it,” McDermott said in a press release Wednesday (Sept. 25). There will be no amendments to the Gov.’s Bill, only an up or down vote.  A real tragedy.”

Instead, said McDermott, “Let the people decide” whether Hawaii wants gay marriage. Presumably, the thinking goes, they would vote as they did in 1998, when they gave the Legislature the authority to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

Photo: Rep. Bob McDermott. (Courtesy)

—Chad Blair