Louisa Wall addressing the crowd Dubbed today “New Zealand's Rosa Parks”, lesbian Labour MP Louisa Wall has told an estimated 2,000 people who gathered on Parliament's steps her legislation to create marriage equality is about ending discrimination. MPs from a cross-section of parties met the marchers at Parliament's steps this afternoon, with Wall telling the crowd: “We stand strong as one people in our country Aotearoa.” The MP thanked everyone who attended, and said South Africa was being given a run for its money in its claims to the title ‘the rainbow nation.' “We stand here with all of you,” she said of the MPs behind her. “And I am just so proud and so humbled that you have come out today in support of your fellow New Zealander.” She continued: “I am very clear that we have an inherent discrimination perpetuated by the state of Aotearoa against some of our citizens.” Addressing a handful of silent protestors from a Korean church who stood on the fringes of the rally with signs over their faces, Wall said: “What I have called for in this conversation about marriage equality is tolerance, is understanding, is a love for everybody that is part of our society. “There are some of the whanau 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 love that they have for each other. The Bill is expected to have its first reading after 8PM.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 29th August 2012 - 5:40pm