National's first openly gay male election candidate thinks marriage is only for heterosexuals, that gay rights have "never been an issue", and fears same-sex civil unions could harm heterosexual marriage. Barrister Chris Finlayson has achieved National's second-highest ranking among new candidates for the party, and has been described the New Zealand Herald as National's "new high-flyer". Finlayson told the Herald he believes the civil union legislation is "flawed", because marriage "is a heterosexual institution and I would not want to think that anything would be done which would harm that institution. I think it's [civil union] marriage using a different term." When asked why he had never involved himself in the battle for gay rights, Finlayson answered: "It's just never been an issue, really. People are many things. I'm a conservative. I'm a Roman Catholic. There are many parts to my person. Sexuality is only one take on a person." Finlayson's views on gay rights and his selection for candidacy seem to be in line with comments made by National leader Don Brash in an interview on National Radio this morning, in which he said gays are "clearly not" part of the mainstream New Zealand that the party is canvassing for votes.