As part of Project Uplift (the refurbishment of the Rainbow Room) a documentary was produced by the Office of the Clerk/Parliamentary Service to tell the story of the room. The individual interviews were also published online under a Creative Commons licence CC-BY 4.0. A special thank you to the Office of the Clerk/Parliamentary Service for allowing Amy's interview to be reproduced. The mp3 files on this page contain just the audio element of the video interview.
Summary
This summary outlines a presentation by Amy Adams recorded on the 2nd of May 2019 in the Rainbow Room of the Parliament buildings in Wellington. The recording, titled "Amy Adams - Rainbow Voices of Aotearoa New Zealand," focuses on the presenter's role as the Justice Minister during the previous government and their accomplishments in that position, particularly with respect to the LGBTQ+ community in New Zealand.
The individual recounts the establishment of New Zealand's first expungement scheme as one of their proudest achievements. This revolutionary legislative measure aimed to erase historical convictions for homosexual conduct, allowing for a symbolic cleansing of the legal records of those unjustly punished under outdated laws. In concert with this legislative action, the presenter gave an official apology on behalf of the New Zealand government and its people to the men who suffered due to these convictions, recognizing the undue trauma and stigma they endured for being true to themselves.
The individual reflects on the historical criminalization of homosexuality as a grievous wrong through the lens of contemporary views on human rights. The expungement scheme was heralded as a significant step in addressing this legacy of discrimination. It not only cleared the criminal records as if the convictions had never happened but also offered solace and vindication to the survivors and their families.
It was a moment of poignant reflection when the presenter, standing in Parliament, apologized for the tremendous harm caused by past laws and behaviors. They stressed the importance of acknowledging the hurt, the damage, and the long-lived stigma faced by those affected. The speaker expresses profound pride in facilitating such a meaningful gesture, one which they anticipate will remain a highlight of their tenure long after leaving Parliament.
The summary also captures the presenter's emotional response to the personal stories shared by the affected men and their families, highlighting the weight such an apology carried for them. It was a testament to the power of acknowledgement and the impact of righting historical wrongs within the legislative arena.
The recording also documents a rare moment of unity in Parliament, where representatives across the political spectrum came together to recognize past errors and to support the initiative to correct them. This collective act of parliament was seen as an exemplar of governmental accountability and evolution, as it attempted to remedy the life-altering repercussions of archaic laws.
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.
Voices
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