Hawaii House Begins Floor Session on Gay Marriage

HONOLULU - Lawmakers in the Hawaii House have begun to consider a gay marriage bill passed out of committee as crowds for and against same-sex marriage gather outside the chamber.

A floor session started Wednesday morning and immediately went into recess, with majority members in the Democratic-heavy House meeting in caucus to discuss amendments to the bill.

Two House committees have already amended the bill that would allow gay couples to marry in the state starting Dec. 2, pushing the start date by two weeks and slightly broadening a religious exemption that covers clergy and religious organizations.

But lawmakers are likely to propose more changes.

Crowds of people on both sides of the issue are chanting and singing songs outside the chamber.