Tony Milne Gay man and community advocate Tony Milne has been selected as Labour’s candidate for Christchurch Central. The 32-year-old helped co-ordinate the civil union campaign when he worked for MP Tim Barnett. He was also involved in the more recent campaign for marriage equality and also helped set up Christchurch’s queer youth group Q-Topia, a group he’s also been on the board of. The former youth worker has been active in the Labour Party since 1999 and was the campaign manager for Jim Anderton’s Mayoral bid in Christchurch in 2010. Milne is currently national manager of public health at the Problem Gambling Foundation, and a JP. Tony and Nic's civil union He’s previously told GayNZ.com that growing up in Invercargill he felt like he was ‘the only gay in the village’. He came out to himself when he was 14, and first told his school guidance councillor when he was 15. “A few weeks later I started coming out to a few friends, and within a few months the whole school knew. It was a lonely, difficult, emotional, but also exhilarating time – and also a huge relief,” he said. Milne had a civil union with his partner Nic at Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens in 2008. The election will be held on 20 September. Tamati Coffey and Kelly Ellis are other fresh glbti candidates vying for Labour selection, while Maryan Street, Louisa Wall, Meka Whaitiri and Grant Roberston will all stand again. Are you a glbti candidate standing in the election? Let us know so we can profile you. Email news@gaynz.com
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 10th March 2014 - 4:43pm