Key tip-toes around civil unions at Big Gay Out
John Key refused to be drawn on his stance on civil unions for gay and lesbian couples when quizzed at the Big Gay Out in Auckland today.
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John Key refused to be drawn on his stance on civil unions for gay and lesbian couples when quizzed at the Big Gay Out in Auckland today.
The prime minister spent nearly two hours meeting and greeting some of the thousands at the gay pride event at Coyle Park in Point Chevalier, which was also attended by opposition leader Phil Goff and Auckland Mayor Len Brown.
Addressing the colourful crowd, Mr Key said the Government had been true to its word in not rolling back on any gains made for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, including the Civil Unions Bill, introduced by Labour, which Mr Key voted against.
Radio host Steven Oats invited Mr Key to his stall and asked him whether he would support civil unions should a conscience vote be held tomorrow.
"I voted against it last time, it was a very marginal call, but we're not going to face that again, so..."
Mr Oats persisted but Mr Key would not reveal his cards.
"I'm leaving it until my book. I know the answer, but just wait until my book," he said.
The event also raised money for Northland lesbian couple Lindsay Curnow and Juliet Leigh, who lost tens of thousands of dollars when their small flower business was torched and destroyed in an apparent anti-gay attack last month.
A week before the fire, the couple's house, cars and shed were scrawled with abusive anti-gay messages.
Ms Curnow said they had been fearful since the attack and ramped-up security on their property, but had received overwhelming support from their community of Mangawhai.
Ms Curnow said the offenders -- who were yet to be caught -- were likely acting out of their own insecurities, and called for better awareness.
"I just think that instead of people laughing when kids talk about poofs or dykes, or whatever they say, teachers and parents should ask them if they know what that means, so we can normalise it in our society.
"It's so important that people understand that labelling and bigotry is really, really such a wasteful, stupid thing and stops you from seeing the potential of a person."
Over $5000 had been raised for the couple.
Auckland Central MP Nicky Kaye said an Auckland Mardi Gras could be on the cards for next year, for which Mr Brown was doing an economic feasibility study.
NZPA
Sun, 13 Feb 2011
Sun, 13 Feb 2011
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
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Key tip-toes around civil unions at Big Gay Out
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