Hawaii state House approves bill to legalize gay marriage

Hawaii's House of Representatives approved a bill on Friday to legalize same-sex marriage in the heavily Democratic state popular as a wedding and honeymoon destination, with the Senate expected to give a final "yes" in a vote next week.

The measure cleared the House on a vote of 30-19, with two abstentions. Governor Neil Abercrombie has indicated he would swiftly sign the measure into law, making Hawaii the 15th or 16th US state to extend marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples, depending on when the governor of Illinois signs a newly passed same-sex marriage bill there. (Reuters)