Jan Logie reading the motion in Parliament this afternoon Parliament has unanimously passed a motion expressing support for the gay community in Russia in the lead up to the Sochi Olympics. Moved by openly-lesbian Green MP Jan Logie, it read: “I move that this House wish our athletes competing at the Winter Olympics in Sochi well, note Russia’s recent passing of anti-homosexual legislation, and ask the New Zealand Government to urge other governments and the winter Olympics Organising Committee to protect the rights of all people in Russia, regardless of their sexual orientation.” Logie says New Zealand has shown global leadership by unanimously passing it. “The Green Party is delighted that our Parliament has agreed to send a strong message in support of gay people today,” she says. “It appears that this may have been the first such motion passed by a national Parliament. “It makes me very proud that all parties in our Parliament backed this message of support, not only to our athletes heading to compete but also the gay and lesbian community in Russia who have been suffering hit after hit on their human rights. “Our Government can play a role in promoting the rights of LGBTI people in Russia and send a message around the world that everyone deserves to live safe lives regardless of their sexual orientation. “The winter Olympics in Sochi has given us the opportunity to tell the Russian Government that we are all watching and that their attacks on the human rights of gay and lesbian people will not be ignored or forgotten.” Today is the last sitting day of the New Zealand Parliament before the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi on 8 February.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 30th January 2014 - 3:54pm