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 Tim's interview to be reproduced. The mp3 files on this page contain just the audio element of the video interview.
Summary
In a recording made on April 4, 2019, at the Rainbow Room in the Parliament buildings of Wellington, New Zealand, former Labour Member of Parliament Tim Barnett presents a personal and historical overview of the progress of LGBTQ+ rights and representation in Aotearoa New Zealand's Parliament. Highlighting a decade marked by significant legislation and cultural shifts, Barnett reflects on a journey that began with their own election to Parliament in 1996 as one of the few openly LGBTQ+ members at the time.
Barnett reminisces about the early days of serving alone in this capacity until joined by Chris Carter and Georgina Beyer, which signalled a growing rainbow presence in Parliament. As a lawmaker, Barnett notably sponsored the Prostitution Reform Bill and championed the Civil Union Act debate, both hallmark moments in the march towards equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals. They describe the Civil Union Act as a politically feasible step towards marriage equality, which was later achieved.
The Civil Union Act, according to Barnett, was part of a broader push towards equality, including separate legislation that equated civil union relationships with marriage and de facto relationships, thereby adhering to the Human Rights Act's anti-discrimination principles. Barnett emphasizes that New Zealand was notable for being the first country outside Europe to bestow equal status upon same-sex relationships through legislation.
Barnett also recounts the creation of the Rainbow Room—a dedicated space in Parliament to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of LGBTQ+ parliamentarians and their communities. Recognized as the first of its kind internationally, the Rainbow Room is part of a wider legacy of inclusion within New Zealand's government institutions.
Throughout their time in office, Barnett faced resistance but also had moments of recognition and support. They touch upon personal challenges, including homophobia and direct attacks from opponents, using these experiences to underscore a history of adversity faced by LGBTQ+ politicians. Barnett also shares anecdotes of solidarity, highlighting the importance of visibility and representation within Parliament as well as moments of international alignment on human rights matters.
Towards the end of their tenure, Barnett helped to preserve and develop the significance of the Rainbow Room, understanding its value as both a tangible space and symbol of progress within New Zealand's political landscape. They express optimism about the revitalization of the space, underlining its role in documenting political milestones and incorporating artistic elements.
The speech concludes with Barnett's reflections on the LGBTQ+ rights movement's trajectory within New Zealand's Parliament—a journey from marginalization to mainstream acceptance, tracked through legislative victories and cultural change. They assert that the refresh and continued existence of the Rainbow Room and the story it tells are integral to understanding and commemorating the progress made for LGBTQ+ communities in New Zealand.
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.
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