Auckland mayor Dick Hubbard has made a trio of statements to the NZ Herald which contradict lines he fed to the gay community prior to the election. In the wake of his shock letter to MPs suggesting gays are more likely to abuse and murder their children, first revealed on GayNZ.com, Hubbard told the Herald: "I made it very plain that my position was one of tolerance but not of endorsement and I believe this stand is compatible with that”. But those present at the GABA mayoral forum prior to the election, including mayoral candidate Christine Fletcher, say they have no recollection of Hubbard making such a statement. “I was present at all the mayoral debates, and never heard Mr Hubbard espouse that position, let alone make it clear,” she told GayNZ.com. Richard James, president of GABA, said Mr Hubbard talked of tolerance for the gay community at the debate, but made no mention of stopping short of endorsement. Hubbard's comments on the record at the GABA forum also suggest his support for the gay community went far beyond mere tolerance. His speech included an anecdote about he and his wife 'adopting' a gay street kid, and during the Q
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 10th December 2004 - 12:00pm