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[00:00:30] mhm. OK, Yeah. [00:01:00] [00:01:30] Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to now introduce the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives as honourable Trevor Mallard. So, uh, um, we're here to [00:02:00] celebrate what happened on a Wednesday night, uh, 30 years ago, and I've got a run sheet, and it's got me doing all the thank yous, uh, at the end. Uh, but I thought it's probably better to get the acknowledgements and the thanks out of the way at the beginning because these things sometimes have a habit of getting forgotten. Um, I, I want to acknowledge, uh, the former members who voted for the legislation and who, uh, in particular, [00:02:30] the ones who are with us tonight, Uh, the right honourable Sir Geoffrey Palmer, the Honourable David Butcher, Judy Keel, Doctor Bill Sutton and, of course, Frank Wild. Um, I want to thank our hosts, the Honourable Christopher Finlayson and the, uh, honourable Nicky Kay. The people who have actually done a lot of the work. Um, Pat McIntosh, who has, uh, made [00:03:00] a wonderful nightclub, uh, out of our grand hall. Uh, Jack Lynch, who is responsible for, uh, what I'm told is a flag, uh, which is which is, uh, before us. And I must say it wasn't lovely to be out the front. When the rainbow flag went up at dawn this morning, it was It was something that was very special. Uh, and, uh, Gerard Wood, who, uh, has been in charge [00:03:30] of logistics and dealing with a not inconsiderable bureaucracy around here. Um, I want to thank um, the cross party group in particular, Jan Logan and Louisa Wall, uh, for the work that they've done, uh, on organising this. But most of all, I want to welcome both my parliamentary colleagues and everyone else here tonight. The programme is, um, [00:04:00] is relatively simple. As soon I'm going to ask Nicky Kay to speak. Uh, the glamour phones will then sing. Uh, Fran Wilde Will will speak. Uh, Doctor Bill Sutton, uh, will recite a poem. We have an intervention from New York. Uh, and, uh, and then Grant Robertson, uh, will, uh, make some comments in relation to, uh, current [00:04:30] members. Um, then the event will finish, uh, but there will be a bit of entertainment, uh, from the Gamo phones. Uh, for the third time, Um, on the occasion that we, uh Well, we have some have some some drinks, et cetera. So, um, as I, uh, invite Nicky, uh, to come up. I want to, uh, acknowledge the progress [00:05:00] that we've made in our parliament. Uh, over the years, there wasn't in 1986 when the legislation went through, there was not one out lesbian, gay or bisexual member of Parliament. Um, I think for most of us, members of Parliament and certainly for me, the only transsexual that I knew, uh, was Carmen. And I only knew Carmen because my father taught Carmen at school. And many of you [00:05:30] will know that Carmen's name was Trevor. And my father says I wasn't named after Trevor Ropa, but, um And then, of course, Georgina. Georgina, with whom I went to school and used to admire when she danced at the balcony. Um, back then, there were only three non labour votes for the bill. And if those votes, uh, went the other way and the other votes stayed the same, uh, then [00:06:00] the bill would have failed. So, um, no one from social credit? Um, not many from national, but a lot of labour MP S uh, voted for it But the thing that sort of like a secret around that's gradually, uh, getting out. And that was that. There were two other, um, members of Parliament at the time. Um, I'm not going to name them, but I will note that they're both now knights [00:06:30] of one of our, uh, one of one of, uh, the United Kingdom's who were prepared to vote for the bill if, in fact, we needed, uh, the numbers. Um, but now, of course, we have a cross party group, uh, involving, uh, all of the parties, uh, we've got a lot more involvement from across the house, and I think it's it's really good. Uh, that Chris has helped put this on. I'm I You know, I known Nicky for [00:07:00] a long time, so she won't mind me. I've known her for half half her life, so she won't mind me saying that I would have preferred to have Chris here. He can't, uh, he can't be here. Uh, but I really want to welcome, uh, Nicky to address us as a host. [00:07:30] Good evening. Uh, can I firstly, start by acknowledging, uh, thank you very much for, um, the welcome that we had this evening. Um, Look, uh, our deputy Speaker Trevor has already, um, acknowledged a range of people. Um, and I'm gonna make some very brief comments because I actually think it's a huge privilege to be hosting this with Chris. Um, but actually, this evening belongs to the warriors who [00:08:00] fought for this legislation. It belongs to, uh, people like Fran Wilde who deserve to be standing here and talking about what it meant. So I will speak very briefly. Um, so, firstly, at the outset, um, just to talk a little bit about those warriors, I had a a brief history lesson from Fran when I walked in. Uh, thank you, Um, about how long? She actually fought for this. So it wasn't 1986. [00:08:30] It was actually, I think 1981 that the first, uh, time she took something to caucus. Um, so at the outset, can I just acknowledge all of the people in the room, Um, the people that are here that voted for the legislation, the people that are not here that are no longer with us, and as a member of Parliament for Ponsonby in Auckland Central, um, I have had the privilege of meeting people who have been huge advocates in [00:09:00] in the LGBT RQ community who have passed away. And so I don't underestimate, um, the fight and the warriors that fought for this legislation. Uh, can we acknowledge you? Um, secondly, there are a range of members of parliament in the room, and I do want to, um, acknowledge what Trevor has said. There were only three, non labour MP S that voted for this bill. So we do need to acknowledge the Labour Party and the contribution that you have made in terms of LGBTI [00:09:30] Q rights. Uh, and again, you know, something that Fran has said to me, it was really ugly and tough, and I think we have an obligation to ensure that we continue to tell our young people um, and I spend quite a lot quite a lot of time as minister of youth, with young LGBTI Q, um, New Zealanders. [00:10:00] Um, while we've got a way to go, there are a whole lot of people that fought for us, and it was really, really tough. So I just want to tonight acknowledge that, uh and then just finally, um, as well um, Lesa, you're here. Um, and the cross party group, who have really, um, worked to organise this, um, we have a We still have a way to go. We definitely have a way to go. Um, but the passing of the marriage equality, Um, Bill, it shouldn't have taken [00:10:30] so long. Um, but I want to acknowledge you in particular for the way that you have held yourself, uh, and worked with so many members across the house, um, to continue to make progress and all of the members of parliament, whatever colour you are that are in the room this evening, that's the way that we will continue. And really, um, ensure that the people that fought for the spill can continue to see that progress Have a wonderful evening Glamour phones. I love you. You're amazing. We're looking forward to hearing [00:11:00] your performance, Uh, just to acknowledge everybody who has been here this evening. Uh, thank you. And I'm going to invite the glamour phones to, uh, come forward again for, uh, what is going to be a very special item, But as they as they do it, I am going to give, uh, what might be described as a health warning. Um, I think I'm a good person [00:11:30] to give it because I'm I've been arrested for obscene language before. Uh, and I want to say that if people are are sensitive, um, then, uh, you might be shocked. Um, the one point that I'll make is that while the legislation was going through, I had a couple of young daughters aged, I think four and six, as it was passed, Um, they got quite a lot of obscene language on the phone. In the end, what we did was we kept a whistle [00:12:00] by the phone, which was blown when people said, uh, rude words. Now, this this piece, um uh, is a piece that Gareth Far, uh, has, uh, done the music for, uh, we are exceptionally lucky to be, uh, at the first public outing of it. And I also want to acknowledge, uh, Philip, uh, Pat and and, uh, Brent coz who have who were [00:12:30] the poets? Uh, who have done the words. I'll give you the glamour phones. Are you a base at school? They told me to mouth the words. It's, um institute. [00:13:00] [00:13:30] Yeah, OK, yes. [00:14:00] Senses [00:14:30] [00:15:00] Time. [00:15:30] Yeah, your house. [00:16:00] [00:16:30] So, Dad Me? You? Yeah. So so sorry. Square this regard. [00:17:00] So am I. 175. 06. I'm a prude. I'm a sexual can suck up and stuck it out the most talk about these days, [00:17:30] please. They're the men came in? No. [00:18:00] And yes, [00:18:30] [00:19:00] [00:19:30] another. Um, it's now my very, uh, pleasant duty to, uh, ask, uh, the sponsor of the bill, Um, my friend Fran [00:20:00] Wilde to come and address us 12. Um, look, this is such a phenomenal celebration. Um, and thank you, la phones. And that was a wonderful piece, which we need [00:20:30] to keep going. Um, I haven't prepared any speech notes tonight. I just want to thank a few people and and and just take us back a little. This is a celebration of parliament, and it's really important that we're having this here tonight. So thank you, Nikki and Chris for, um, being our hosts. We are so lucky to actually live in a country that has a parliament that can change laws like this. So we should celebrate that, [00:21:00] actually, and and and you know, that is a really important thing when you see what's going on in other parts of the world. There are, um, many, many countries where people just could not do this, uh, sort of law change. And we're lucky to have a country where the institutions of the state do actually respond, albeit very slowly at times to law changes. And, you know, those are most of us are impatient, [00:21:30] and nothing's ever good enough or fast enough. But actually things have happened. And when you look back 30 years, um, it is a different world for New Zealand. So today I was just being interviewed by TV NZ and there was the rainbow flag outside Parliament, and oh, that was amazing. And the thought of that, um Norm would be turning in his grave. Uh, so So, um, this [00:22:00] was a campaign that was essentially a parliamentary campaign, but it actually happened on the streets. So I there's a few people I want to thank today a few groups and I will start with the group here in Parliament. So the MP S who were who voted for it and who are here tonight, thank you very much. And most of you also were active on the bill campaign and and frankly, um, were phenomenal supports. I particularly want to, um thank Trevor and Ruth [00:22:30] Dyson, Um, who worked tirelessly and frankly, this could not have happened without them. Um, I can't believe Trevor is now the deputy speaker. He's such a Larrain. I mean, why would you? It's kind of like a turn gamekeeper, I suppose. But, um, but he is. And that's what happens when people get older and more sedate. I suppose so. Um, this this was we had a huge campaign going out of the It was the whips office. Actually, Mike Cullen was the other [00:23:00] whip, and our staff are phenomenal, and I want to acknowledge them as well. Uh, Marion Line and Mike P a who can't be here tonight Just was so efficient. And we had young people can't understand this. It was pretty, pretty much pre digital, so we had thousands of letters coming in. We had thousands of letters going out. We had, um, paper for Africa. Joie, Gina Joie is here tonight. Jody was the young office assistant who was the one who was taught how to detect litter bombs because she opened the mail. [00:23:30] I mean, that's how it was and we had an enormous, uh, group of volunteers who came in you and painters here tonight. Um, Bill, I've seen you. Uh, I can't I'm sorry. I should have looked at the guest list because I missed somebody out. Um, de de here tonight. Um, but, you know, there was a whole group who came in and they actually helped run the campaign from in here. Essentially, we knew it was a public education campaign. When the bill was introduced, 19 MP S would have voted for its third reading [00:24:00] and we had to get the others over the line by getting their communities to say yes. It's OK to vote for the bill, which is what they did. So the campaign on the streets was huge and it stretched right the way through the country. We had the gay task force in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and many other groups around the country. And the the the The thing that I the one thing that I think was the most important was visibility. So the second group I want to acknowledge tonight [00:24:30] are all the brave gay men who came out during the campaign. Had we failed, they would have been so I mean, they were pretty amazing. They put their whole life and their jobs, many of them on the line by coming out. And I don't know what would have happened if we hadn't got the bill through. So that was absolutely critical because New Zealanders need to know that gay men were not child molesters. [00:25:00] That's what how they are being portrayed. In fact, I read some of the debate today, I just to refresh myself. And I realised that they were actually saying in the House, This is going to legalise six or 12 year old boys. That's what they were saying. So, um, you know, the the gay community were phenomenal and particularly those men who came out and were highly visible, Thank you very much. New Zealand owes you a great debt. Um, the other, um, people to acknowledge are all of the people that helped we [00:25:30] had a lot of help. It wasn't, you know that. Sure, the S were supporting the petition and the fundamentalist churches were, um, putting in heaps of money, and they had propaganda and speakers from the US and and they were really going for it. But there were others who were working with us. And in the end, um, actually good triumphed because it was good. And those of you who are in the house at the time will recall that the people who were against this the ringleaders, not all of them but the ringleaders [00:26:00] who were the ones that spoke the most, were obsessive about bodily functions. That's all they could talk about was sex, which did make us wonder about a few of them. But, um and we were talking about relationships and love and the ability for people to lead normal lives and just be, you know, functioning members of the community. And it was kind of we were talking past each other. They were two different conversations. And of course, now, um, there would still be New Zealanders who would talk as the opposition people did then [00:26:30] those opposing the bill, but not so many. And frankly, the whole of society has changed, Which doesn't mean to say it's perfect. So the third group I want to acknowledge tonight, uh, the young, um LGBT community in New Zealand um, these, um, youngsters and I had a group of them here tonight from Gisborne. Well done. Uh, they came. They came and saw me yesterday and did an interview. They making a a do. So I've told [00:27:00] I've asked Television New Zealand If they could interview them, I think they should, because these these people are our future. And we've still got some work to do to, um, you know, to make life safe and great for them as well. And I think it's really important that we remember that everything we do, we do on the shoulders of others. And we're doing it for the next ones who come after us. So all of you who have been involved and those in Parliament have changed and the others who have changed laws since [00:27:30] to make New Zealand a better place. Well done. It's It's all of our celebration tonight, and, um, there's a few parties going on. I think so. This was the day the Wednesday private Member's Day can remember, Chief. Every Wednesday we had to make sure all our voters were there and it went on for several months. It just went on and on and on, and, uh, that it was wearing people down tactics, and we needed to have all the numbers there because they tried to pull votes of closure and putting the vote [00:28:00] when they thought that we didn't have enough people. So, um, it was a great triumph for democracy, actually. And I want to again thank everybody involved. You were all fabulous. And let's have a good party tonight. Thank you. Thank you, Fran II. I just want to make two points and one is to reinforce [00:28:30] the the last point that Fran made about how hard it was We had to win every vote. If they won one, we were gone, and and And the bill would have been the bill could have been totally lost. We we actually did lose one section of the bill, the human rights, Uh, part of the bill. Uh, and that was exceptionally sad. The good thing was that Catherine O'Regan, who voted, uh, for the bill reintroduced [00:29:00] that, um, seven or eight years later and it flew through the parliament, and I think that was a great indication of way. Uh, that attitudes have changed. The second point that I want to make is just to reinforce the fact that, um, while a tonnes of things happened on the street and there were leaders right through the community that this sort of change didn't happen. Especially [00:29:30] uh, at that time without superb leadership. And Fran provided that leadership. And I just want people to say thank you to her again. I know now want to, uh, invite my former colleague, uh, Bill Sutton, to give us a part? [00:30:00] Let's see if if you can hear me, people can hear that great. 30 years ago, I was the Labour MP, representing the provincial seat of Hawke's Bay in my electorate Committee was seriously concerned about the homosexual law reform bill, but I was determined to support it anyway. And in the end, I don't think it cost me many votes. [00:30:30] I'd like to thank the the organisers of this gathering for allowing me to read my poem about the climactic debate of 30 years ago. The poem is called speaking from the Heart, and I chose not to publish it in my first poetry collection two years ago. But it is included in my second collection, which is being launched next month. Speaking [00:31:00] from the heart, the Homosexual Law Reform Bill introduced by Fran Wilde provided one of those rare occasions when an MP can choose what to say and whether to speak at all. Being intensely controversial, it resulted in a flood of letters covering a full range of lunacy [00:31:30] from religious nuts demanding hanging to women advocating castration. So I was intent on saying two things. Homosexuality is not a lifestyle chosen by a pervious minority, but a fact of human biology. We learn about when we grow up [00:32:00] and homosexual love can be as devastating and glorious is any other form of human love. Then I read a poem by WH or lay your sleeping Head, my love human on my faithless arm. Catherine O'Regan MP, an intelligent [00:32:30] national party woman who replaced Marilyn wearing, listened intently and nodded agreement. John Banks, another national MP, the avowed enemy of homosexuals who used his own earlier speech to viciously attack a liberal colleague, was also present. [00:33:00] After the speeches were over, I gathered up my papers and lift the debating chamber to phone my wife in Napier, receiving no answer Next day. The papers ignored my speech. I mailed out hundreds of copies to constituents of all persuasions and received not one reply [00:33:30] but ti a total surprise. I received a signed handwritten note from the honourable John Banks. MP Dear Bell, your speech last night on the homosexual bill was really rather good. [00:34:00] John Banks. I shall treasure that note until I die as written evidence that despite all the contrary evidence, speaking from the heart in parliament is not a total waste of time. [00:34:30] You you're you're very kind. Uh, and I hope that you haven't felt that listening to this poem was a total waste of your time. Right? II I am informed that we, uh that we have, uh, a message from one [00:35:00] who we used to know as she who shall be obeyed from New York. The 30th anniversary of the passage of the homosexual law reform bill brings back a lot of memories. Those were pretty tough parliamentary debates, and I remember being one of Fran Wild's foot soldiers set out to do the speeches around the country in support of the bill. I remember a wonderful audience in Nelson, for example, a very progressive town. But not everyone was progressive on [00:35:30] these issues. So it was a hard fought debate, but look so critical in the fight for human rights, for dignity, for equality for every human being in New Zealand, we set a good example for others to follow. And it was also, at the time, so essential in the fight against HIV. So looking back, Fran was brave. The parliament stepped up not by a big majority, but a past. And that paved the way for better things to come in. [00:36:00] Yeah, I'm now going to hand over to Grant Robertson who has something to say. Greetings, everybody, Um, the low light, um maybe isn't, um totally conducive without the nightclub music to the party atmosphere. But, um, I want, um just to indulge [00:36:30] you for a few more minutes. You've been extremely, um, good with your time and your attention, and we're only gonna hold you back from the bar for just a couple more minutes. Can I just start by asking my parliamentary colleagues, Lewis of Wall, Paul Foster Bell and Jen Loy to join me up here on the stage? If they are around Paul? Uh, so, um, these folk and myself and others represent [00:37:00] part of the of the cross party Rainbow Group, and we want to do, uh, something now. um to kind of recognise the parliamentary nature of of this occasion. Earlier in the year, we had a fantastic event. Um, as part of, um, pride Week here in Wellington, where we really did acknowledge the community members, Um, who did so much, uh, for this campaign. And lots of you are in the room tonight, and any event that I go to that's got Dez and John and Bill Logan and and all [00:37:30] of that group is always a good event, so I really want to acknowledge and thank you. But tonight is a night for us to talk about the, uh, parliamentary side of things. So the first person I'd like to ask to come up here to receive, uh, a special gift is Fran Wild Fran, can you just pop back up again? So, um, Fran, this is probably something Fran never ever wants to see again. But what this is is the actual, [00:38:00] um, bill with its royal assent or the act the Law Reform Act with royal assent. Um, so it's it is done. So by the time it was the ninth of July. So by the 11th of July, David McGee said this bill has been passed by the House of Representatives, New Zealand and has the royal assent. It has, um, the pictures of Jeffrey. So your signature is on here. Jeffrey Palmer is the attorney general and of the Prime Minister, David Lange. And the bill is attached to it. Fran, I want to present this to you on behalf of all of the parliamentarians [00:38:30] of today All of your colleagues from the and this entire room of people. Um, I've said this to you personally before, but I'll say it on the stage now. I wouldn't be here as a member of Parliament if it wasn't for Fran. Number one he does. There won't be enough. You'll come back for photos, Fran. That's [00:39:00] what will happen. Uh, now, um, we've acknowledged that there are former MP S who are who are, um, here tonight, Um, who supported the bill? Um, Judy Keel, Jeffrey Palmer, David Butcher, Bill Sutton and Fran. I want to thank you again, but there's some stayers with us, and I want them to join me on the stage. Now, Uh, that's the honourable Phil Goff, the honourable Annette King and the honourable Peter Dunn. Can you please all come forward now [00:39:30] and and I'm coming to that. I'm coming to that. I love my caucus colleagues so trusting. In addition, there's a person who wasn't an MP in 1986 [00:40:00] but has already been acknowledged tonight for the incredible role that she played. Um, in those days, behind the scenes, she is now a member of the House of Representatives. And that is the honourable Ruth Dyson. And as you saw from some of the images that [00:40:30] were popping up particularly when Fran was speaking, there was a photograph. Um, that was up behind us. I. I think most of you have seen it. It was a photograph of of Trevor, Ruth and Fran. Um, I've got to say the first, the the first equal for people who look pretty much as they did then are Fran and Ruth. There is a bronze medal available, Trevor. So So what I'm also [00:41:00] gonna do now is to each of of these wonderful people lined up beside me here, I'm gonna give them the same thing that I've given. Fran. These are numbered copies of the assented bill. We, as parliamentarians are today, uh, and and the parliamentarians who come and there are others in the room tonight, Like Marion Street, who I'd like to acknowledge, Um, here as well, Georgina by who's here as well. Um, Tim Barnett, who can't be here and others Who we who we've had contact from from the cross party group. Uh, from [00:41:30] all of those MP S to those of you who are still with us today, um, you, uh, have our eternal gratitude. Um, you stood up as Bill Sutton said before, Uh, when people told you you'd lose your seats, you didn't. Some of you lost them later for other reasons, which is the subject of another seminar on Friday. But, um but for this, we are extremely grateful, and I want to thank you very much indeed. [00:42:00] Right. So as far as I know, that's it for these bits of the formalities. Um, but I'll hand you back to Trevor. But can I just say, um, just before we finish to pick up Fran's one of Fran's points? Um, please. As a group of people who were part of things 30 years ago, remember that there are still fights to win, and I particularly want to give a shout [00:42:30] out to the younger people in the room. The members of inside out and the other groups who are here with us tonight, please support what they do. Um, the needs of young people today in our LGBTI community still exist. And they need your help. Thank you. You can you can sort of you sort of trust grant when I've got the role to wrap things up just to see the lines completely. Um, but I do want to repeat my thanks to, uh uh, to Nicky [00:43:00] and Chris, uh, for being being the host to, uh, to thank, um, Bill Sutton and Grant, uh, for the comments that you've made to, uh, especially thank Fran. Uh, not only for that work, but for making himself available. Uh, time and time again, uh, for celebrations. I wanna thank Gareth far, uh, and the glama phones. Um, it sort of sounds a bit like grace, you know, for [00:43:30] what we've had and what we're about to receive. Um, and to reiterate, um, that the work goes on goes on in the community. It goes on parliament. Um, our cross party group has got ourselves a few challenges at the moment. But what I'd really love to see is us. Make schools safe. And to make sure that are not too long. [00:44:00] LGBTI youth suicides are either or or just the same level as all others. Thank you all for coming, Yes.
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