In his leader's speech at the weekend's National party conference Don Brash has clearly articulated his vision of a gay-tolerant society. Brash sent a strong message to his MPs, many of whom vited against the proposed Civil Unions legislation, saying he envisaged a New Zeraland society composed of people who are "tolerant of differences of culture, race and sexual orientation." GayNZ.com contributor and political observer Jim Peron says the speech was generally well received. "I think his inclusion of "sexual orientation" was important and sent a message to the delegates that he would not be turned," he observed. Peron gave a speech to the conference and operated a book sale table which included "Gay Marriage" by Jonathan Rauch. "We got a surprisingly good response from people at the conference," he says.