11th June 2012

LegaliseLove backs Louisa Wall's private member's bill and Launches its 2012 campaign for marriage and adoption equality

Last Sunday, Labour MP Louisa Wall appeared on national affairs show Q+A in a debate with Conservative Party leader Colin Craig on the issue of marriage equality. Mr. Craig is one of the relatively few New Zealand politicians to openly oppose extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Ms. Wall recently unveiled a private member’s bill that would amend the 1955 Marriage Act. This bill proposes a clarification of ‘marriage’ as between two people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill is a draft for consultation, and can be found on Parliament's website at www.parliament.nz.

LegaliseLove, a national campaign for marriage and adoption equality, welcomes this bill as a significant advance for equal access to marriage in New Zealand.

“Since President Obama in the United States threw his support behind legalising same-sex marriage a few weeks ago, politicians here at home from all across the political spectrum have been adding their voice to the call for equality. This is the beginning of a moment in New Zealand history that will one day be looked back upon with pride, as we embrace this aspect of the pursuit to bring equal rights to New Zealanders,” said LegaliseLove President Andrew Cunningham.

Over the next few months, we will be holding several large awareness-raising events in Wellington and Auckland, stepping up our campaign to put pressure on Kiwi politicians still silent on the issue. These events will include debates and public seminars to bring this issue to everyday New Zealanders, and another march on the 20th of October to build upon the 300 person strong march for equality last year.

ENDS

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