John Key at the Big Gay Out Prime Minister John Key has told media he believes there is no demand for marriage equality in New Zealand. Questioned following US President Barack Obama’s declaration he supports gay marriage, Key would not take a stance. He said he didn't think there was any "clamour" for gay marriage in New Zealand and it was not on the government's agenda, NZ Newswire reports. At February’s Big Gay Out Key told GayNZ.com he didn’t think gay marriage was likely to progress in New Zealand. “I think … that the community would argue there’s no particular reason to be opposed to gay marriage, but at least the step to a civil union was an important step and an important win,” he said, despite voting against the Civil Union Bill as a first-term MP. “We’ve got no intentions of reversing any of those gains to the community, so at least some progress has been made,” he continued. Gay Green MP Kevin Hague has once again made his stance clear: “In case you weren't sure: I personally support marriage equality and all Green MPs will support a Bill that achieves this,” he tweeted today. Rainbow Labour is fully in support of marriage equality and overall party leader David Shearer has also stated his support in the past, although he confused some followers with a tweet today that "I fully support marriage equality in principle but would like to see the detail of any legislation before giving formal support. He later clarified that he personally supported marriage equality.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 10th May 2012 - 6:32pm