Testimony of Thomas F. Coleman

Outline

A. Express gratitude for the invitation to testify

B. Acknowledge the purpose of these hearings

C. Describe the focus of my presentation

1. Title of presentation

2. Brief review of other testimony

3. Desire to fill a gap in the proceedings and the record

4. My method is to educate & explore issues, not to advocate for a particular result

D. Explain who I am and whom I represent

1. Attorney - 26 years

2. Currently, executive director of AASP (formerly Spectrum Institute)

3. Concentration on martial status bias, family diversity, domestic partnership issues

4. Methods: research, education, public policy studies, amicus briefs, expert testimony

5. Changed from "Spectrum" to "AASP" to develop more grass roots support

6. Our mission is to promote the well-being and civil rights of all unmarried adults

7. Our website is the most authoritative source of information about issues affecting singles

E. Describe the various exhibits being submitted:

- White: testimony and executive summary of all exhibits (34+)

1. Lavender: potential effects of legalization of same-sex marriage (44 pp)

2. Green: global view: domestic partnership laws in other nations (92 pp)

3. Gold: Hawaii: report of the commission on sexual orientation (30 pp)

4. Blue: Hawaii: legislation actions 1994 to 1999 (50 pp)

5. Pink: Tulane Law Review article (43 pp)

6. Peach: national view: domestic partnership bills pending in other states (64 pp)

7. Gray: marital status demographics: USA and Vermont (40 pp)

F. Discuss the primary legislative options and their potential consequences

    1. Do nothing

    2. Pass a bill to place proposed constitutional amendment on ballot

    3. Pass a bill this year to legalize same-sex marriage

    4. Defer the final vote on a remedy for a year or two

    5. Enact a comprehensive domestic partnership act this year

    6. Enact a limited domestic partnership act this year (in addition to or in place of #5)

    7. Expand protections against marital status discrimination (in addition to #5)

G. Question & Answer session