The New Zealand Raelian Movement Supports the Civil Union Bill and an end to Gay Discrimination.

The NZ Raelian Movement wishes to express its full support for the Civil Union Bill to be passed in New Zealand.

The new bill proposes a new type of relationship model for New Zealand and will grant registered civil union couples recognition and relationship rights which are equal to those granted through marriage. For the first time ever, it will enable same-sex couples access to full legal equality. Thousands of same-sex couples (and different sex couples) are waiting for an alternative to marriage that will provide them with protection and security under the law.

The homophobic reactions from certain members of parliament, the head of the Catholic church- Cardinal Tom Williams, as well as Brian Tamaki of Destiny Church and other conservative Christians, prove there still exists a lack of understanding concerning the subject of homosexuality. As Helen Clarke recently stated, "The reality is that homosexuality is not an invention of modern politicians and Parliament. It is something that has always been with us, and the steps that most western societies are taking is to ensure that loving relationships can have a status recognized by the law."

Science has recognized that ones sexual orientation is genetic. Therefore to condemn someone for being homosexual is like condemning a Maori person for being Maori or a European for being European.

The Civil Union Bill is about acceptance. It's about recognizing differences and allowing people to be themselves.

It’s time to end this discrimination toward gay people. New Zealand can set an example with the introduction of the Civil Union Bill by protecting the human rights of minorities - just as we respect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities.

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