Hawaii Lawmakers OK Gay Marriage

The US is about to have 16 states in which gay marriage is legal. Hawaii's state Senate today approved the legislation and sent it to the governor for his promised signature, reports the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The 19-4 vote means that same-sex couples could wed as early as Dec. 2, a move that could set up the state nicely to be a destination wedding locale, notes AP. Hawaii's vote follows similar action last week in Illinois. That bill also is awaiting the governor's promised signature. "I've always been proud to have been born in Hawaii, and today's vote makes me even prouder," said President Obama in a statement after the vote. In addition to the 16 states, DC also allows gay marriage. Is New Mexico next? (More Hawaii stories.)