MP Chris Carter found himself double-teamed against the Civil Union Bill in a debate at Waikato University last week, in which Act MP Stephen Franks lambasted "whining gays" and Maxim legal expert Nicki Taylor talked about legal recognition of gay couples eroding marriage. A second speaker was scheduled to speak in favour of the Bill, but was unavailable at the last minute, for which the organisers apologised. However, Carter held his own against the increasingly-bizarre Franks, who said the Civil Union Bill didn't know what it stood for, and suggested polygamy would be a better solution to the issue of property assets because at least the first partner would be able to accept the second. Taylor, who was asked some tough questions by the audience, spoke of her personal experience in growing up without a father, to which Carter responded that she was a perfect example of how it was possible to thrive and succeed in life outside of a nuclear family upbringing. At one point, Carter quoted civil rights legend Dr Martin Luther King, to which an audience member from the Destiny Church retorted that King's daughter, Bernice, had recently been to New Zealand and denounced same-sex marriage. Carter answered that Dr King would turn in his grave if he knew his daughter was supporting a church that preached hatred and intolerance, something he fought against his whole life. The audience erupted into cheers.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 22nd November 2004 - 12:00pm