Some of our favourite people share their Christmas messages for GayNZ.com readers, and also reflect on a wonderful trailblazing year. Merry Christmas to you all!!! "Kia ora koutou - Well, what a positive year for our communities! Marriage Equality for all, Pride and celebration events all over the country, community development work in many places ... the list goes on! It's time for a well-earned break - but remember, not everyone we know has someone to spend these 'family' times with, with so do think about reaching out. So ... Meri Kirihimete, me te Tau Hou! I hope you all have a restful, fun, safe and fabulous summer break, getting ready for another fantastic year. Mauriora.” - Richard Tankersley, Human Rights Commissioner and Chair of Christchurch’s UpRising Trust "Hi! Hope you all have a fabulous festive season, hope you've been nice enough so Santa brings you nice goodies! If not then I hope you have been naughty enough to enjoy the rest of the year! I will be in Feilding so it's the entertainment capital of NZ so a lot of clubbing and dancing. I will see you all in the New Year." - Urzila Carlson, Comedian "Thanks for all your activism in a very successful year for our agenda (Marriage Equality = Equal Rights). Have a great summer break, keep safe, love your condom and enjoy each other. Warm regards" - Maryan Street, Labour MP "The passing of Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment has been momentous for transgender people this year, because they no longer need to divorce in order to have their gender legally recognised. I hope that we can make more progress in finding a way to amending the Citizenship Act (1977) so that transgender people can have their citizenship certificates reissued." - Allyson Hamblett, transgender rights campaigner "Happy holidays to everyone! We’re sending you all our gayest greenest wishes for the holidays. May they be full of stunning nature and a good dose of nurturing. It’s been a wonderful year getting marriage equality but it’s also pretty tough year for lots so we hope you all get to slow down and refresh a bit and remember what it’s all about" - Jan Logie and Kevin Hague, Green MPs "It has been another big year for our communities with the highlight of the year obviously being the landslide victory to Marriage Equality. Whether or not we personally want to get married or not, we sent a strong message to Parliament and we succeeded because we worked together. Remember however, we still have a lot of work left to do. We still need to get a comprehensive anti-bullying legislation especially to help the younger generation and help prevent LGBTI youth suicide. We also need to continue to work on advocating for the improvement of transgender rights and addressing homophobia among many others. Please keep an ear close to the ground for those who aren’t having such a festive season, they may need a little bit of help. However, I wish everyone enjoys the festive season. Stay safe, have fun, get some rest and make some great memories. Hope to see many of you in the New Year and thank you all so much for your ongoing support." - Rawa Karetai, Rainbow Wellington Chair “Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa. 2013 has been a landmark year for our community in Aotearoa. I am proud to have drafted and steered through Parliament our marriage equality legislation with the support and commitment of many from our community and those who support us. And my thanks to GayNZ.com for its continued support. I am looking forward to the Christmas break and a chance to recharge my batteries before entering a very critical election year. We need to make a strong commitment to addressing inequality - whether it is in terms of the law, health or education. To all our LGBTIQ community and whanau - Nga mihi o Te Kirihimete me Te Tau Hou ki a koutou katoa. Kia Kaha, Kia Toa, Kia Manawanui!” - Louisa Wall, Labour MP "Happy Holidays New Zealand. It has been a great year, and I hope some of you are newly happily married! I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of me on my journey to Sochi, and to everyone who has offered support and encouragement on my stance towards Putin and his 'anti-gay' propaganda agenda. Looking forward to an exciting 2014 and being back in Aotearoa soon." - Blake Skjellerup, speed skater and gay rights champion GayNZ.com and friends - 24th December 2013
Credit: GayNZ.com and friends
First published: Tuesday, 24th December 2013 - 9:50am