Audio of the speeches before the march for Marriage Equality. Speakers include Brooklynne Kennedy, Joseph Habgood and James Sleep.
The pre-march speeches were given in Wellington's Civic Square on 29 August 2012 - the day that the Marriage Amendment Bill was introduced into Parliament by Labour MP Louisa Wall. The gathering then marched from Civic Square, into Willis Street, down Lambton Quay to the grounds of Parliament where more speeches took place
Summary
This abstract summarizes the speeches delivered before the Marriage Equality march in Civic Square/Te Ngākau, Wellington, on August 29, 2012, which were recorded and later archived. The speakers at the event were Andrew Cunningham, Brooklynne Kennedy, James Sleep, and Joseph Habgood.
The central message of these impassioned orations was advocacy for the equal right to marry, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity. The speakers aimed to communicate that love and commitment between consenting adults are the fundamental principles of marriage—not sex, gender, or procreation. They argued against using personal dislikes or specific religious doctrines as a basis for public policy.
In an illustrative and lighthearted analogy, Brooklynne Kennedy compared the push against marriage equality to a personal distaste for strawberries, provocatively suggesting that just because one does not like something does not mean it should be forbidden for everyone else. The speaker ridiculed the use of Levitical laws as an argument against the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, pointing out the inconsistency and selectiveness in the application of these ancient codes.
Kennedy also dismantled other common arguments against marriage equality, such as the idea that marriage should be for procreation only, or that it would somehow undermine the 'sanctity' of marriage. Additionally, Kennedy noted that the lawmakers should not impose their religious beliefs onto civil laws, emphasizing the nation's secular nature and the importance of separating personal beliefs from legislation affecting citizens' rights.
Joseph Habgood's speech emphasized the values of tolerance and fairness, reflecting New Zealand's inclusive ethos. The speaker highlighted that preventing people from marrying was an affront to equality and individual rights. Habgood addressed the importance of the government sending a positive message to young people coming to terms with their identities, stressing that no individual should fear lesser rights due to their gender or sexual orientation.
Conveying support for the broader struggle against discrimination, James Sleep stressed the importance of legal reform not only in granting rights but also in challenging and changing societal attitudes towards the LGBT community. Sleep invoked Harvey Milk's statement that human rights should not be a matter of compromise or expenditure, but a removal of repression—highlighting the simplicity of the principle of equality.
Throughout the event, the speakers underscored the collective journey towards equality, drawing upon New Zealand's history of progressive law changes, including the decriminalization of homosexuality and the legalization of civil unions. They called upon the listeners to participate in the march with a sense of joy and history-making spirit, as the day represented a pivotal moment in the battle for marriage equality.
The safety of the participants was also addressed, with acknowledgments to the New Zealand police force for their assistance and to safety officers in attendance. The speakers encouraged maintaining a celebratory atmosphere, even in the face of potential resistance, by simply responding with joy and a firm belief in the righteousness of their cause.
The event was part of nationwide efforts leading to the eventual passage of the Marriage Amendment Act (2012), which legalized marriage between same-gender couples in New Zealand. The gathering was a milestone in the advocacy for marriage equality, reflecting the burgeoning support within the community and among political parties for fundamental human rights.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
Tags
activism, andrew cunningham, aotearoa new zealand, book of leviticus, brooklynne kennedy, campaign for marriage equality, civic square / te ngākau, civil unions, community, harvey milk, human rights, identity, james sleep, joseph habgood, law, legaliselove (wellington), marriage, marriage amendment act (2012), marriage equality, politics, rally for marriage equality, social, wellington, youth
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