File photo National has blocked gay Labour MP Charles Chauvel from putting forward a motion in Parliament condemning homophobic legislation in Uganda and Nigeria. National’s leader of the house Gerry Brownlee refused Chauvel leave to do so, effectively vetoing the move. Chauvel wanted Parliament to “note with grave concern” both the recently retabled legislation in Uganda, that would increase the penalties for certain consensual sexual activity between two consenting adults in private, and the legislation, passed recently by Nigeria’s legislature but not yet signed into law, which would criminalise freedom of association and advocacy for same-sex couples and organisations. The MP wanted Parliament to agree to “state its hope and expectation that the New Zealand Government will urge other governments to uphold the rights of all people to their privacy and dignity in accordance with international law”. Chauvel has reacted immediately by saying National has shown its true colours, and the block is a “shame”. National MP Tau Henare has responded with a tweet to Chauvel, saying: “That is sad as I led a great team to Uganda and was vociferous in our condemnation of Uganda ‘s acts of abuse of human rights.” You can discuss this gay New Zealand community news story in the GayNZ.com Forum here
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 30th January 2013 - 2:28pm