The recent firebombing of Flesh nightclub in Auckland is possibly an understandable reaction of a society unhappy with having civil unions legislation 'thrust' upon them, suggests the spokesman for a nationwide lobby group that believes there should have been a public referendum on the rights of same-sex couples. Steve Baron, spokesman for BCIR.org.nz, a lobby group pushing for binding citizens' initiated referendums across the board, is dismissive of suggestions that a referendum on civil unions would put the civil rights of a minority at risk. "If you are in the minority and a referendum goes against you then just have to be big enough to accept that," he says. "There is no sense in forcing a change on society that society is not ready for or you risk serious repercussions. Perhaps we are already seeing this in the recent gay nightclub arson case?" When asked by GayNZ.com if he was suggesting that the firebombing of Flesh was excusable or at least understandable, he disagreed. "No, the firebombing of a gay nightclub is certainly not excusable but what I am suggesting, and history has shown, is that when change is thrust upon society that society is not ready for, then there can be repercussion and these repercussion may not be favourable or just." Baron says he has "close links" to the gay community, and that BCIR.org.nz does not endorse or condemn same-sex marriage. "We are simply saying that as a conscience issue of major importance to the public, this issue [civil unions] could have and should have gone to a binding referendum and not be left up to the morals of 120 MPs."
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 4th February 2005 - 12:00pm