Rainbow flags were raised at Parliament during a rally for the Bill this afternoon 7.10PM:A queue is forming at Parliament's public entrance as people wait to get in to the Public Gallery for tonight's first hurdle in the race for marriage equality – the passage of which is looking more than secure. The debate is due to begin some time after 8PM and the numbers are strengthening, with more National MPs deciding to vote for the Bill. The whispers doing the rounds in Parliament indicate as many as 75 MPs will back the bill, well over the 61 required. Among those who are against it is gay National MP Chris Finlayson, a staunch Catholic who has described himself as an “odd fish” has decided to vote against the Bill. “You register unions and you leave marriage to the church, temples, mosques," he said this afternoon. “I'm voting against it for those reasons.” News of the decision is being met with ire by many in the gay community, who have been expressing their mix of disbelief and frustration at the decision on GayNZ.com's Facebook page. We will continue to bring you live coverage from within the corridors of power throughout the evening.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 29th August 2012 - 7:18pm