Cosmetic company Lush has joined forces with marriage equality campaigners Legalise Love to stage a “kiss in” this Saturday. All are welcome to join the “kiss and tell” protest, by puckering up for equality outside any Lush store in New Zealand at 1PM. A petition will be circulated in support of marriage for same-sex couples and calling for the government to end discrimination. Lush and Legalise Love are urging the Government to take either the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill or the Marriage (Equality) Amendment Bill out of the member’s ballot and through the parliamentary process. “This is an essential step to providing fair and equal rights to New Zealanders,” a statement from the groups says. Saturday’s action will be centred from Lush’s store in the Old Bank Arcade on Lambton Quay. Lush will also be selling a new limited edition Freedom Foamer bubble bar, will all proceeds going to Legalise Love’s campaign to end marriage discrimination. Lush Campaigns Manager Megan Taylor says the company believes everyone should have the equal right to marry the person they love. “Many of our staff, customers, friends and family are not given the same rights as everyone else and we felt, for the sake of our friends, we had to challenge this injustice.” Legalise Love President Andrew Cunningham adds thousands of New Zealanders are living with their partners. “They share a bed, they share meals, they share bills, and they share love, commitment, and ups and downs. Although what they don’t share is a ring with the title of husband or wife. This is legal commitment to love and a life shared and a deprived aspect of many couples’ relationships in New Zealand. “To be in a relationship that you know is fundamentally not seen as equal by state and society is a hardship no one should go through, and it’s a hardship shared. Same-sex couples share so much, so it is only right they get to share marriage too. The Marriage Amendment Bills recently proposed are an essential step in the right direction, and should be taken by government and put through due process. It is time for us to stand up and support our fellow New Zealanders. Let’s give them the rights they have been so long denied, and be allowed to love.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 9th July 2012 - 2:14pm