Civil unions will lead to people marrying their goats, if representatives of the Salvation Army are to be believed. Six representatives of the charity turned up outside Parliament on Thursday afternoon with a banner reading "Ya, civil union – now I can marry my goat (and have children)". They dragged a live goat along with them, says Queer Nation reporter Robyn Paterson who interviewed the group. All six were in their late teens and early twenties, and faced stern opposition, although not from any gays or lesbians – two animal rights activists berated the group for dragging the goat. The Salvation Army was one of the most vocal opponents to homosexual law reform in New Zealand in the 1980's, presenting a petition to Parliament which they claimed had 800,000 signatures. This was later proven to be full of repeat signatures and forgeries. Overseas, the Salvation Army has threatened in recent months to desert the homeless in New York if the city enacts gay-friendly employment legislation.