Marriage equality for all, says Mental Health Foundation
Marriage equality will positively impact the mental health and wellbeing of New Zealanders, says the Mental Health
Foundation (MHF). The MHF has entered a submission to the Government Administration Committee supporting the proposed
Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill.
“Sexual and gender minorities experience significantly poorer mental health than other New Zealanders,” says MHF Chief
Executive Judi Clements.
Discrimination is a key determinant of sexual and gender minorities’ mental health and wellbeing. Sexual and gender
minorities in New Zealand experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality than other
New Zealanders, and this is of great concern.
“Discriminatory laws imply that these individuals’ identities are not acceptable, and that they thus deserve fewer
rights,” says Ms Clements. “The poor mental health outcomes we have been seeing in our Rainbow communities may improve
with increased social and legal acceptance of, and value toward, their relationships.”
Research in California has shown that gay men who are legally married are less likely than other gay men to be depressed
and more likely to flourish – that is to feel relaxed, calm, peaceful, and hopeful for the future. The same benefits
were not observed in gay men in domestic partnerships.
It is the goal of the MHF to help all New Zealanders to flourish; in the current conditions of legally-sanctioned
discrimination toward same-sex couples a significant population of New Zealanders are unable to do so.
This bill will be another step in respecting and valuing all people in our society, and fostering equal citizenship for
sexual and gender minorities.
ENDS