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How are you feeling? Are we here to celebrate marriage Equality night when this bill passes Fantastic. Fantastic. I'm Conray Ray, and I'm one of the, um, people that's been working on the campaign for marriage Equality. We've been working really hard to organise this rally and also to lobby and support this bill. Um, I'm gonna be your MC for this afternoon's festivities. So So [00:00:30] what I wanna do first is I just want to invite the local iwi to come and sing a lovely to get us in the mood and to celebrate the spell. Yeah, what I can do, [00:01:00] Go ahead and 30 and I to the Yeah, they are [00:01:30] mhm. And then they keep that boy a He did not. Ah, I did, I but to a [00:02:00] Hey, you, everybody. [00:02:30] My name is and I would like to just talk about some of the people over many years who have made this happen today. Those of you who remember the eighties Fran Wilde, who put her, who put her political career on the line to come out in support of gay rights. I really do think without that lady, many of us wouldn't be here today so a round of applause. [00:03:00] And today we have another lady to thank from Parliament. Louisa Wall. We are not asking for anything that has not been given to everyone else in our nation. [00:03:30] And we love this nation as much as anyone. And if people say to me, if you don't like the law and you're going to protest, why don't you go to some other countries which don't have protest? And I say to them, No, you would fit in a lot better than I would mhm to all those people of the Rainbow Nation who are here today [00:04:00] and to all those families of those people all those mums and dads, brothers and sisters and friends who are not gay but are here supporting us today. Can we have a round of applause? Because they are with us? [00:04:30] I know there are some people who say that What is this going to do for marriage? Absolutely nothing. For those of you who already are and a lot for us and me marrying my partner is not going to upset your marriage. If you are straight unless you are worried there could be someone turning in your marriage you don't have to worry about it. And for the truly honesty, most of you. I don't want you [00:05:00] in our camp, not a to everyone who has arrived here today. Life, energy, be yours. And it is fantastic [00:05:30] to see so many different people from so many diverse backgrounds here today To celebrate fairness and to celebrate equality and to remove discrimination in New Zealand, I'd now like to introduce our very own Rosa Parks and the number one marriage equality campaigner in New Zealand, the labour MP For Mana Louisa, [00:06:00] it was a very, uh, important message that was given on the founding of our nation. We are one people. What I want to do in acknowledging all of you who are here today is to say we stand strong as one people in our country. I want to thank you all for being here today. And when we talk about the Rainbow Nation, they usually talk about South Africa. But when I look out there at us, here [00:06:30] we are the rainbow nation, uh, nation, not only politically and I do want to acknowledge that this is a cross parliament initiative. There are colleagues behind me from the National party from the Green Party, Uh, from the Maori party from, uh from who else? Guys. The Labour Party. Uh, we stand here with all of you and I'm just so proud and so humbled that you have come out today [00:07:00] in support of your fellow New Zealander. I'm very clear that we have an inherent discrimination currently perpetuated by the state of A against some of our citizens. In saying that I want to also acknowledge some other that are here who are representing our religious and what I've called for in this conversation about marriage. Equality is tolerance. Is understanding is a love for everybody that is part of our society. [00:07:30] So there are some of the here on the periphery of us. I want to acknowledge you. And I also want to say to you please do not fear what this bill will do. You will be able to, as Christians continue to define marriage for what it means to you. But please enable your fellow New Zealand citizens to get a licence from the state to celebrate the the the love that they have for each other. This is fundamentally about human [00:08:00] rights. This is fundamentally about ensuring discrimination is eradicated in our country. I'm so incredibly proud to represent all of you. And I thank you in solidarity because we will do this. But we will only do it together together. The people united can achieve everything and anything. So thanks to everybody for being here. And I just, [00:08:30] um I would like to acknowledge Conrad and our marriage equality campaign team that has people represented from right across our society. Obviously, we have our rainbow communities, but we also have our human rights communities. Uh, we have some of our religious leaders here, and I know Margaret's going to be speaking later, but I just want to thank you all that this is the beginning of a process. Tonight is going to be historic, and after tonight, there will be a lot more work to do. Uh, so I just [00:09:00] want to acknowledge that and thank you all. What a beautiful day that the God has made for us to be here at Parliament to champion marriage equality for all New Zealand citizens. And thank you for having the courage to put this historic bill to Parliament. Everybody in this crowd knows that it's time I'd now like to invite to from the National Party to come and speak. As Lewis said, This has been a true cross party initiative. All of the polls show [00:09:30] that New Zealanders everyday New Zealanders back our cause, and so it's great to see all political parties getting behind it to know, Um, what a turn up for the books? Um, look II. I have very little to say other than to say that it's the right thing to do. It's the kind thing to do. It's the state's recognition of your happiness. If you want to get married, um, how [00:10:00] how it affects me in my marriage. I still haven't worked that one out. So, um, if you're if you're struggling with that one, keep on struggling because there's no answer for it. If you want to get married, go get married. If you love somebody, the state gives you a licence to recognise that happiness and recognise that relationship. Um, those of you who saw my comments in The Herald yesterday about The Wizard of Oz Um yeah, yeah, I stuffed that one up a wee bit, but the fact [00:10:30] of the matter is that they went to The Wizard of Oz to get some recognition. They already loved each other. They already they they you already love each other. You're already in a relationship. It's just a bit of a licence. It's a state recognition of human rights. There's one last thing that I want to say that my nephew just, um, an hour ago, Uh uh, taught me and I should have known this. And we all should have known this. If we're scholars of history and lovers of of of, uh, the battle for human [00:11:00] rights and civil rights long, long time ago. Well, actually, it wasn't that long ago. It was only 60 years. Black people in America could drink from a tap as long as it wasn't a white tap. And this and and that's the that's That's the same thing here. And one day in the in America, black people, white people were allowed to drink from the same tap, and the same goes for marriage. Why is why is it that I have the right to marriage to [00:11:30] marriage, but you don't? And I think that's a crying shame. So tonight, hopefully we get to the vote and we start the change Thank you to and thank you for all of the hard work you've done. And thank you for all the hard work you're going to do when we win the vote tonight. And I'd like to uh, now ask Kevin Hague from the Green Party. Another MP who's been working really hard across the house to secure the votes to come speak, [00:12:00] Can I say you're all looking fabulous today? I want to start by by giving my thanks and appreciation to all of the amazing volunteer effort and energy that's gone into organising this event today. And [00:12:30] to say we're gonna need all of that and more in the in the days and months to come. So thank you all very much and a particular thanks, actually to the heterosexual people who've come out to support us in this You you're all amazing and and I really appreciate it, you know, in in this place it's almost unheard of that we get to deal with an issue [00:13:00] that has an absolutely compelling 100% evidence based argument behind it that brings huge benefit to so many people and harms absolutely nobody. And that is exactly what this issue is. It is. It is awesome that this measure is going to be backed tonight by MP S from all parties [00:13:30] except one. And I'm sorry, New Zealand first, I hope I hope that you will change along the along the journey as this bill goes through the house. I want to commit to you today that all of our 14 green Party MP S will be voting for the bill tonight and at every stage. Thank you. And lastly, [00:14:00] I want to give my particular thanks appreciation and offer of continued, uh, absolute support to the leader of our movement, Louisa Wall. Thank you, Kevin. And again, thanks for the hard work you have done and are gonna continue to do. I'd now like to invite Margaret Maman and Claire Brocket from Saint Andrews on the terrace to come and speak. They represent some of the diverse faith communities that have got behind this bill. And I think it's really, really important that we [00:14:30] recognise and that we remember that sometimes the loudest voices come from some of the smallest. And so I'd love to hear from Margaret and Claire. This morning I woke up with almost no voice, and I thought, Oh, bother. Some people are going to think that God is trying to keep me quiet. But then I remember that God has given me a wonderful partner of 16 years, Claire Brocket, who is also a Presbyterian minister and a wonderful leader [00:15:00] in our community. And so she is going to read my speech. Everybody, I'm actually delighted in my own right as well as the words I'm about to speak. I'm delighted to be here supporting the marriage amendment bill and celebrating the enormous support that New Zealanders have expressed for the bill. [00:15:30] I am speaking today because some of the strongest opposition to the bill is coming from religious people. And I want to assure you that there are many, many people of faith who are passionate about the bill, not despite our faith, but because of it. Marriage equality is a spiritual and ethical imperative because the overriding message of our faith is that we are called to practise justice and compassion. [00:16:00] Marriage has changed and evolved throughout history. It existed before either the church or the state had a role in it. Historically, people were considered married when one said to the other. I take you to be my husband or wife. But the decision to marry had communal implications. Marriage was about property, procreation [00:16:30] and gender inequality. So claims made by social and religious conservatives that marriage is unchanging or that there is one biblically sanctioned form of family are simply wrong. It is only over the last 150 years that heterosexuals have reinterpreted marriage [00:17:00] as a loving commitment between two people who are equals who may or may not raise Children. And it seems to me that it is precisely because heterosexuals have changed marriage from a gendered economic arrangement to a relationship of love and commitment that queer people are seeking to join it. The Bible says very little about marriage as we understand it today, and nothing [00:17:30] at all about same sex marriage. The texts that are used to condemn homosexual acts were written by people who had no understanding of the scientific fact that human sexual orientation is diverse. They believed that the earth was flat and that demons cause disease. We do not. The Bible has nothing to say about [00:18:00] two people who experience same sex attraction and love and who wish to commit themselves publicly to one another and to receive the benefits and protections available to citizens in such relationships. The primary question for us should be. Is this legislation that promotes justice or legitimates injustice? The answer is obvious. Justice should [00:18:30] be at the heart of the moral spiritual life. It is a moral issue, an issue of equal justice and respect, and not of sexual practise or family structure. The biblical call to compassion. To love your neighbour as yourself provides the faith, mandate for marriage, equality, religious traditions celebrate that humans are created [00:19:00] in and for relationship and that sexuality is God's life-giving gift. Today we affirm the dignity and worth of all people and recognise sexual difference and diversity as a blessed part of our created being. There can be no justification for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. [00:19:30] New Zealand is a country with rich religious diversity. No single religious voice can speak for all traditions on issues of sexuality and marriage. Nor should government take sides on religious differences. Therefore, religious clergy have the right to discern who is eligible for marriage in their own tradition. Despite the scaremongering. This bill [00:20:00] will not change that. In addition, all clergy should be free to solemnise marriages without state interference. Some religious communities already perform marriages and unions for same sex couples, even when the law does not permit same sex civil marriage. There is no religious consensus on this matter. Some churches [00:20:30] forbid divorce and remarriage, but we would not condone having these theological views inscribed in New Zealand law. It is exactly the same situation for marriage equality. The best way to protect our religious freedom is to respect the separation of church and state and ensure that there is equality under the law. As Christians, we believe that the faith [00:21:00] we affirm challenges us to speak and act for justice. For all who seek to express their love in the commitment of marriage, some people of faith will disagree. Others may be undecided. Common ground can be found when we reach out to promote what is best for individuals. For couples, families, Children and society. [00:21:30] There is nothing to fear and so much to bless and celebrate. Thank you. Thank you so much to Margaret and Clare. Now it's my great pleasure to introduce Bill Logan a man who stood almost 20 years ago well over 20 years ago on the lawns of Parliament and fought for our rights [00:22:00] to get through homosexual law reform. Bill, you got thanks for the invitation to speak. Today is a celebration. 30 years ago, we could not have contemplated the idea of marriage for gay men and lesbians. Today is a celebration of the readiness of society for the modest reform that this bill provides [00:22:30] for you Presumably put me on the speaking list to recognise the generations of activists who have worked together against the oppression of sexual minorities. The huge numbers of people who have in their different ways helped prepare the way for this bill, especially today. We should take the opportunity to think of all the people who are not from sexual minorities who have stood by us in this long [00:23:00] journey and will stand by us in the months ahead and in the journeys beyond, we think of the vast numbers of people of goodwill, people who believe in equality and fairness and decency, people from all walks of life. Without them, we would not be here most of all. Perhaps we should think of the families of gay, lesbian, bisexual trans people. Over the years, some of our families have had difficulties accepting us, [00:23:30] but the vast majority did accept us eventually and have cared for us and have encouraged us and have supported us through the difficult years. I think today of my mum she came from a A rather conservative background. But like all mothers, she wanted to be proud of her Children, and she wanted them to be happy and successful. So when I came out to her at the beginning of the 19 eighties, it was a bit difficult. It was a challenge [00:24:00] to be proud of a gay son or to hope for them to achieve happiness or success. But Mum was always there in so many ways for me and my friends. She was there through the political campaigns. She was there looking after people and all over New Zealand. You know, there are thousands and thousands and thousands of people like my mum. We should think of them today, and so should the politicians. [00:24:30] My my mum's old, an old old lady now in a home in bay. Next month she'll be 90 years old. She's frail, and she's not even really very verbal anymore. She's got, UH, family photos and Mementos on her walls and including photos of my partner. And when he comes with me to see her, she sometimes likes to introduce him to her friends in the home [00:25:00] as her son in law. If I think of who in my life will most be affected by this legislation, it's not me or it's my mum. This bill is important for her and people like her. I don't know if we'll have a marriage or not. I don't think she cares. But I think she does care that we cannot marry. She wants us to have the rights that other people have. [00:25:30] This is a modest measure. It won't solve all problems. It will merely remove a restriction and an inequity, and it will give a signal that's OK to be in a sexual minority. The removal of a restriction and inequity against sexual minorities in the marriage law will help reduce prejudice from wherever it occurs in schools, in workplaces and throughout society. It's a signal [00:26:00] that's OK to be in a sexual minority, and that's important not just for us but for everyone. Louisa Wall's Bill is not just about gay men and lesbians. It's about our mothers and our fathers and our wider families. It's about all the people who care for us. If we think of one thing which is different between now and in 1985 it there's been a massive of coming out. In 1985 [00:26:30] most of us were hidden. Now our workmates know our families know everyone has a cousin or a sister who's known as gay or a lesbian. We're not a secret anymore. And today there's this huge pool of people who support us. Now, whatever you think about politicians, most of them know how to count. And it's because of that huge [00:27:00] pool of people supporting us that this bill is going to go through in a fairly short time. We're about to take another step forward, so thank you all for coming here today. We're optimistic about this. Thank you for coming to be a part of this modest step forward. Savour the moment. [00:27:30] Thank you very much, Bill. I'd now like to invite our final speaker, Helen Kelly from the Council of Trade Unions to come and represent the everyday working Kiwis who also support this bill. Thank you and the CTU is so proud to be invited to speak to this very important rally on this historic and wonderful day in New Zealand's history. This [00:28:00] legislation is not only important for what it stands for the equality and the fairness that it brings, but it's also a chance for us to send a message, a message to New Zealand young people that actually what is important, what is worth standing up for is love is friendship is equality and is fairness. That's what's contained in this. And if more laws were based based on those principles, this country would be a better place. [00:28:30] I recently, uh, went to hear a speaker from the South African apartheid movement. He was talking about the wonderful contribution New Zealand has made to end that terrible system so far away. When apartheid was oppressing millions and millions of black people, people there, The thing that struck me, as he described that system was he said, the law, the law of the country told us where we could eat what buses we could catch, what schools we went to. My God. It even said [00:29:00] who we could love and who we could marry. And he thanked this country for bringing an end to that sort of discrim discrimination there. And today, this parliament a time to celebrate this parliament. It will bring an end to the discrimination here. I want to congratulate you. I want to congratulate our politicians. I want to congratulate Lassa for the stand [00:29:30] that she's taken giving us this opportunity. I'm confident that this law will go through and this country will be a better place for it. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Helen. And thanks to all our speakers, I'd also like to personally thank every single each one of you who submitted to your MP S through male tools who talked to your families and friends and who got out the message that New Zealanders really care about marriage equality and want to see this bill through. We're confident [00:30:00] we're gonna win tonight and we're confident we're going to win well and that's going to be fantastic. But also I want to remind all of you that once we do win, there's another process we have to go through. We're going to be going to select committee, which gives all of us another chance to have our say. So make sure you log on to the Marriage Equality Website, which is WWW dot marriage equality dot co dot NZ. There'll be more information on there about the select committee process. There will also be a handy tool that will help you submit to the bill so that you can ensure that you keep the pressure on and make sure we get this [00:30:30] through its second reading and its third reading and into law. I'd like I'd like now to, uh, bring the Loki I back to do a final to close the festivities today. Uh [00:31:00] um, [00:31:30] we're going to sing a song. And while we're singing the song, we'd like you all to join us if you know the words. And if you don't know the words, just hold hands in solidarity around the of this, uh, of this bill car. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he [00:32:00] fuck Fuck, They're fine. Oh na in my Yeah. Good. [00:32:30] Good day. Fine. Yeah, Good for Oh, thank you, everybody for coming now to all the MP S who have gathered behind [00:33:00] me. Get back in the house and go vote for this at 8 p.m. tonight. Thank you.
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