Members of the Christians for Civil Unions group are celebrating the first anniversary of the introduction of the civil union law. The legislation is "morally positive," according to the Rev Dr Margaret Mayman of the Presbyterian Church, St Andrews on The Terrace in Wellington. "We campaigned because this was a human rights issue and human rights are never an issue of numbers," said Dr Mayman. Many of the members of Christians for Civil Unions are gay and straight clergy who have now become civil union celebrants. Each civil union ceremony is "emotionally significant," said Dr Mayman. “People are planning them in fresh and diverse ways, creating new traditions and new forms of celebrating.” "What we did not anticipate was the beauty and spirituality of the individual celebrations and the positive impact that they have on the relationship of the couple and on our wider society. They are indeed a blessing." "People feel that they are part of history, part of making New Zealand a truly inclusive society."
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 27th April 2006 - 12:00pm