Stuff.co.nz 18 March 2013
The words “mum” and “dad” offer intrinsically different comfort when you say them as a child, and even as an adult. Most of us, no doubt, would agree, and would find it difficult to decide which of our parents to give up for another mum or dad. But that is what the Marriage Amendment Bill will require of some kids in generations to come. That is why I don’t support the bill. By changing the definition of marriage, children will be up for adoption by same-sex couples. That means some kids will be denied the right to either a mother or a father, while their peers, by luck of birth, will be allowed both. Of course, a lot of people argue the Marriage Amendment Bill is about love, and equality. But love or equality for who? These terms sound great, and they capture our emotions, but taking a moment to think about them makes us realise that in practice, they demand compromise from someone – either gay couples who must compromise the right to raise children, or children, who must compromise the right to have both a mum and a dad. Unfortunately, that is the way the world works. One person’s right inevitably tramples on the right of someone else. It is often very difficult to decide whose rights win, which is why there are so many court cases, and indeed courts, all about human rights. But when it comes to adults’ rights conflicting with the rights of children, most of us would agree that children should come first.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/8438558/Bill-denies-kids-what-they-need
Bill denies kids what they need
