Gay University of Hawaii Couple Settles Law Suite

A gay couple who were suing the University of Hawaii for not allowed to move back into family housing has reached a settlement.

The University has revised its housing policy so it accommodates committed same-sex couples.

Phi Ngo and Joseph O’Leary were represented by Lambda Legal in their lawsuit against the school which was filed in March of 2008. During the 2006-2007 school year, The couple resided in family housing on the main campus of the University of Hawai’i, Mânoa while O’Leary was engaged in earning a degree in history. They reapplied for family housing for the 2007 – 2008 school year, but the university denied their request as a same-sex couple. In a letter dated May 30, 2007, the interim director of University Housing Services stated;

“The University recognizes marital status as defined in Section 572-1 of the Hawai’i Revised Statutes.”

This statute, which restricted the term “marriage” to different-sex couples, was the reason the couple was denied living arrangements.

Read more about this at lambdalegal.org.

Marriage Means Longevity for Same Sex Couples

A study released Tuesday shows that legalized same-sex couple relationships appear to be longer-lasting than those without a legal status.
Relationships of legally recognized gay couples last longer ”

“There are many ways that a legal couple status may support a relationship - more family understanding, acceptance by friends and co-workers, greater commitment that results from a public declaration, and enhanced legal protections in the form of healthcare benefits and community property,” said Robert-Jay Green, executive director of the Rockway Institute, a national center for LGBT research, education and public policy at Alliant International University in San Francisco.

Get the whole story from 365gay.com.

What Gay Marriage Can Teach Straight People

The New York Times has an interesting article today about what straight couples can learn from partnered gays and lesbians. Apparently, gay relationships are much more egalitarian, tend to give both parties greater satisfaction, and are less prone to contain “controlling and hostile emotional tactics.” Read Full Story >>