Gay marriage a human right: MP

Dominion Post 7 Nov 2012
Denying homosexuals the right to marry is denying them basic human rights, Labour MP Louisa Wall says. Ms  Wall gave the opening submission on her Marriage (Definition of  Marriage) Amendment Bill today which would clear the way for gay  marriage in New Zealand. The bill was understood to have already attracted  more than 20,000 submissions and was expected to face stiff opposition  from conservative and religious groups. Ms Wall  told the government administration select committee marriage was a  birthright which should be available to all New Zealanders. “Your sexual determination should not limit your citizenship rights,” she said. Many  of the opponents of the bill were of an older generation who had not  moved past reforms of the past 20 years, she said, and younger  generations appeared to overwhelmingly support the change. “They can’t see what the problem is.” She  hoped the debate would not get ugly but the bill had already faced  opposition in the committee from National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi. “I respect human rights for everyone – but marriage is between a man and a woman,” Mr Bakshi said. “Can’t we fix it another way?”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/7918182/Gay-marriage-a-human-right-MP

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