Fri 22 May 2015 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Andrew Little has apologised for a "flippant" comment about gender reassignment surgery. In yesterday’s Budget debate, the Labour leader said of Finance Minister Bill English “I don’t know what he’s trying to hide - some sort of fiscal gender reassignment or something". Today, Little tells GayNZ.com Daily News “I accept my comment was flippant and I accept it has caused offence for which I apologise.” He continues: “I stand on my record of dealing positively with sexuality and transgender issues, including as a lawyer representing a worker on workplace issues both before and after her gender reassignment. No one else would do so. “In addition to dealing with the employer to ensure she had access to facilities and was safe at work I also dealt with some of her work colleagues in the male-dominated workplace to ensure they understood their obligations.” GayNZ.com also asked if Little would consider meeting some transgender people to talk about the struggles they face accessing gender reassignment surgery, and he says he would be happy to.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 22nd May 2015 - 12:12pm