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Bill Woods improved civil rights in Hawaii

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Oct 03, 2008

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THE ISSUE

William E. "Bill" Woods, a longtime proponent of gay and lesbian rights, died Saturday.

Hawaii has been in the nation's forefront in allowing various rights to gay partners and much of the credit for those advances goes to William E. Woods. Founder of what is now known as the Gay and Lesbian Center and its executive director for 17 years, Bill Woods died last Saturday at the age of 58 after a lengthy illness.

Largely through Woods' effort, Hawaii law allows gay and lesbian partners rights such as family and bereavement leaves, probate rights and hospital visitation. The Legislature recognized "reciprocal beneficiaries" following a tenacious battle that triggered a national debate a decade ago when Hawaii voters effectively approved a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.

Woods' ultimate goal was legalization of gay marriage. When British Columbia pronounced gay marriages legal in July 2003, Woods and Lance Bateman, his partner of eight years, were quick to fly to Vancouver, accompanied by guests, to take the vows. California and Massachusetts are now the only states where same-sex marriage is legal.

He came to Hawaii from Illinois in 1969, earned a master's degree in public health administration at the University of Hawaii and worked in public health positions until his retirement 12 years ago. He had been chairman of the Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board and district chairman of the Democratic Party and led the party's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender caucus.

Woods attributed his activism, which extended far beyond gay rights, to his upbringing in a deeply religious Methodist family in a small Illinois town that was half Amish. He learned that standing for something was more important than sitting in a church pew and held that conviction throughout his life.

THE ISSUE

William E. "Bill" Woods, a longtime proponent of gay and lesbian rights, died Saturday.

Hawaii has been in the nation's forefront in allowing various rights to gay partners and much of the credit for those advances goes to William E. Woods. Founder of what is now known as the Gay and Lesbian Center and its executive director for 17 years, Bill Woods died last Saturday at the age of 58 after a lengthy illness.

Largely through Woods' effort, Hawaii law allows gay and lesbian partners rights such as family and bereavement leaves, probate rights and hospital visitation. The Legislature recognized "reciprocal beneficiaries" following a tenacious battle that triggered a national debate a decade ago when Hawaii voters effectively approved a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.

Woods' ultimate goal was legalization of gay marriage. When British Columbia pronounced gay marriages legal in July 2003, Woods and Lance Bateman, his partner of eight years, were quick to fly to Vancouver, accompanied by guests, to take the vows. California and Massachusetts are now the only states where same-sex marriage is legal.

He came to Hawaii from Illinois in 1969, earned a master's degree in public health administration at the University of Hawaii and worked in public health positions until his retirement 12 years ago. He had been chairman of the Kalihi Valley Neighborhood Board and district chairman of the Democratic Party and led the party's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender caucus.

Woods attributed his activism, which extended far beyond gay rights, to his upbringing in a deeply religious Methodist family in a small Illinois town that was half Amish. He learned that standing for something was more important than sitting in a church pew and held that conviction throughout his life.

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