Celebrating Diverse Families at Christmas
Christians for Civil Unions, an ecumenical group who supported passage of the Civil Union Act last year, is delighted
that parliament last night rejected the Marriage (Gender Clarification) Bill.
The legislation was legally unnecessary. Sending the Bill to Select Committee would have resulted in acrimonious public
statements by people who oppose the equal treatment of all New Zealanders. It would have caused further harm to the
minority group families who were attacked during the passage of the Civil Union Bill.
Civil Unions provide real benefits for society through the legal protection and social recognition for same sex and de
facto couples, and social acceptance for children from diverse families. Changing the Marriage Act to “make a point”
provides no social benefit. Allowing discrimination in favour of one form of committed relationship to the detriment of
others is completely unacceptable.
“In the season of Christmas, we rejoice that legislation that would have discriminated against families like that of
Jesus, whose mother Mary was unmarried, has no place in New Zealand society,” says Christians for Civil Unions
spokesperson, Rev Dr Margaret Mayman.
Margaret Mayman
St Andrew’s on The Terrace