Tuesday Governor Linda Lingle vetoed legislation passed in April by Hawaii’s Legislature allowing same-sex civil unions in the state. She made the veto action on House Bill 444 on the last day to sign the bill, veto, or allow the bill to become law without her signature.

 Governor Lingle has openly spoke against same-sex marriage and stated, “House Bill 444 is essentially same-sex marriage by another name.”

 The bill would have granted gay and lesbian couples the same rights and benefits the state provides to married couples.

 For weeks she heard testament from both sides of the issue and Tuesday made her decision in the packed Honolulu Capitol with cheers from one side and tears and “”We’ll keep fighting!” “Let’s go!” “We Shall Overcome!” from the other side.

Five states — California, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington — grant same-sex couples rights without allowing marriage itself. Maryland, Rhode Island and New York legally recognize marriages performed in other jurisdictions. Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut and the District of Columbia permit same-sex marriage.