Introduction

This has been a hot topic of discussion lately as Louisa Wall a Labour MP has challenged the marriage bill, pushing for an amendment. The amendment that she is pushing for will allow two people of the same sex to be allowed to marry with in New Zealand, giving them the same rights as a married man and woman. She believes that people should not be discriminated upon due to their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity when it comes to marriage. 

What does Louisa Wall hope to achieve with her bill? She is trying to allow people of the same gender who are in a loving relationship to marry. This amendment to the marriage bill will also see to it that young people who are gay are not seen as abnormal, that they are allowed to be gay, and that they will not be discriminated upon due to their sexual orientation.


There is both a lot of Opposition and Support for this new amendment to the marriage bill, and MP’s who show support can change their minds at any given point in time. The bill will have three readings and each time it will need to have votes to pass, if at any time the votes are not in favor of the amendment bill then the bill will not pass and it will not become law. 

Opposition

This bill has been opposed by many. In a debate held on the morning show, Bob McCroskrie, National Director of the conservative lobby group, Family First, brought up his concerns. Bob is not against equality but he is against the marriage amendment because he thinks that a marriage is between a man and a woman because only a man and a woman can produce a child, he then goes on to say that the commitment between same sex couples can be recognized in a civil union. His concerns are that if this amendment is pushing for equality in marriage and the right to marry then what stops two or more people from entering this constitution? And if this is about equality then why shouldn't a father and daughter or mother and son be allowed to marry as they are discriminated against as well. As disturbing as these things sound, Louisa Wall insisted that that was not what her bill is about, she accused Mr. McCroskrie of “scaremongering”, saying that her bill is to let two people who love each other, be they of the same sex or no, to be allowed to marry under law in New Zealand.

As Mr. McCroskrie brought up these things, I started thinking and looking up other aspects of disapproval. The Catholic Church is against the new amendment, and a few members of parliament refused to vote as they did not have a clear standing on the matter as representatives of certain communities.

With the churches stand, they were worried that if the bill goes forth, will they be forced to sanction a marriage that goes against their beliefs. Louisa Wall has assured that this is not the case and that they may refuse if they wish.
   
Another thing that has had many people up in arms about the proposed amendment is the adoption laws. The marriage laws allow married people to adopt children. But because the amendment will allow married same-sex couples to adopt as they would be included in the definition of spouse, giving them the legal right to adopt under the Adoption Act 1955. 

Support

A lot of New Zealand citizens seem to welcome the change, supporting the new bill with organized marches like the 1000 people march, showing their support. A lot of young people joined the march to show their support for the new amendment bill, but not only young people were there, supporters of every age gathered to show their support.

The Prime minister even said that he would be more than happy to vote for the first reading of a bill allowing gay marriage but at the moment it is not a priority. Louisa Walls same sex marriage bill has passed is first reading with a positive response from parliamentary members with 80 votes to 40.


New Zealand celebrity Tamati Coffey who is gay and in a civil union is a large supporter of the marriage amendment bill, it will allow him to marry his lifelong partner, Tim Smith. He said that he would become un-civil union-ed in a second. He sees it as the last step for gay people to be considered normal in this society.  

A poll made by Colmar Brunton on behalf of One News found that 63 percent of New Zealanders' think that same-sex couples should be able to marry, while 31 percent were opposed. 1872 people have taken the poll with (76.2%) 1427 people supporting the amendment to the marriage bill and (23.8%) 445 people against it.

Conclusion

Louisa Walls’ amendment to the marriage bill is welcomed by many new Zealanders, a lot of whom show only support for her actions. The bill has passed its first trial, but still has to pass another two readings before it can become law.

New Zealand MP’s are not guaranteeing their support even if they have helped the amendment pass its first reading. And a lot of Churches are against gay marriage becoming legal, but a few are supporting Louisa Wall with the new amendment.

Personally I would like to see the bill go through as Louisa makes it clear that her bill is pushing for equality in marriage, not limiting it and excluding a large number of people. A lot of young people today do not see the problem in two people of the same sex being allowed to marry, because we have the right to love and be with whomever we want to be with under the human rights act. 

Reference list

Draft for consultation. Marriage (definition of marriage) amendment bill. Retrieved from http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/07819230-A1EF-4A7B-B5C2-9D7A830AC40E/222836/MarriageDefinitionofMarriageAmendmentBill_1.pdf

TVNZ. (2012). MPs may not remain faithful to gay marriage. Retrieved August 30, 2012, from http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/mps-may-not-remain-faithful-gay-marriage-5053644

TVNZ. (2012). Gay marriage bill passes first vote. Retrieved August 29, 2012, from http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/gay-marriage-bill-passes-first-vote-5051085

TVNZ. (2012). Tamati opens up about the gay marriage debate. Retrieved August 29, 2012, from http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/tamati-opens-up-gay-marriage-debate-video-5050825

New Zealand Legislation. Adoption act 1955. Retrieved from http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1955/0093/latest/DLM293128.html

New Zealand Legislation. Human rights act 1993. Retrieved from http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0082/latest/DLM304475.html?search=ts_act%40bill%40regulation%40deemedreg_human+right_resel_25_h&p=1

3News. Poll shows support for same-sex marriage. Retrieved June 06, 2012, from http://www.3news.co.nz/Poll-shows-support-for-same-sex-marriage/tabid/1607/articleID/256909/Default.aspx#ixzz27Xhjj6MB

Stuff.co.nz. Kiwis back gay marriage – poll. Retrieved June 07, 2012, from http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7057118/Kiwis-back-gay-marriage-poll

Stuff.co.nz. 1000 march for same-sex marriage. Retrieved August 29, 2012, from http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7571036/1000-march-for-same-sex-marriage

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