A new poll says a majority of New Zealanders continue to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people having full marriage rights. In the poll, by Key Research and commissioned by the Herald on Sunday, 53.9 per cent of respondent supported marriage equality and 38.1 per cent did not. "New Zealand is a different place now. People are a lot more accepting and want equality for all people, regardless of sexual orientation," marriage equality bill author Louisa Wall has told the newspaper. The proposed legislation passed its first reading last year by 80 votes to 40 and it has been sent to a select committee. The committee will report to Parliament on February 28, and a second reading is scheduled for March 20. A third and final reading could happen in May. The poll showed a continuation of strong support from younger New Zealanders, while the majority of those 75-plus opposed it. Women were also more supportive.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 6th January 2013 - 1:56pm