Tag: New Zealand

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Two straight best friends get married for all-expense paid trip to 2015 World Cup

I previously wrote about New Zealand’s Travis McIntosh and Matt McCormick’s quest for a free, all-expense paid trip to the 2015 Rugby World Cup here.

The story has angered LGBT leaders in the country. LegaliseLove Aotearoa Wellington co-chairman Joseph Habgood said the radio show contest mocked the hard-won legitimacy of same-sex marriages.

“The point of this competition is that men marrying each other is still something they think is worth having a laugh at …”

The two men say they believe the marriage will last two years.

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New Zealand: Straight Best Friends Will Marry to Win Trip to 2015 World Cup

Travis McIntosh (L) and Matt McCormick (R)

Travis McIntosh and Matt McCormick, best friends since age 6, will marry tomorrow in order to win a radio station competition and a trip to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

The men, however, are not gay or in love. They are simply “best mates” looking to win a contest.

The contest, run by radio station The Edge in New Zealand, looked for the best “bromance” couple to win the trip to next year’s World Cup.  According to reports, over two hundred straight same-sex couples entered the contest.

“We are not here to insult anyone. We are here to do our own thing and travel our own path.” Mr McIntosh said the wedding was not mocking the institution of marriage.

The choice of McIntosh and McCormick has upset gay organizations across New Zealand:

Otago University Students’ Association Queer Support co-ordinator Neill Ballantyne, of Dunedin, said the wedding was an”insult” because marriage equality was a”hard fought” battle for gay people.

“Something like this trivialises what we fought for.” The competition promoted the marriage of two men as something negative,”as something outrageous that you’d never consider”, Mr Ballantyne said.

LegaliseLove Aotearoa Wellington co-chairman Joseph Habgood said the competition attacked the legitimacy of same-sex marriages.

“The point of this competition is that men marrying each other is still something they think is worth having a laugh at …

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Naked rugby in New Zealand

Did someone say “naked rugby?”

New Zealanders apparently love their nude, co-ed rugby games.  From News 3:

The Nude Blacks beat an Invitational ‘Aussie’ side five tries to four today at Alhambra Union ground in front of a sweltering crowd of 2,500.

But I have to call foul because it’s not really fair that the women get to keep their clothes on.

Can’t embed the video, so hit this link to catch the semi-naked match.

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New Zealand to begin same-sex marriage tomorrow

New Zealand’s first gay weddings are due to take place after the country became the first in the Asia-Pacific region and 14th in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.

Thirty-one same-sex couples plan to marry on Monday, according to the Department of Internal Affairs.

It comes after New Zealand’s parliament passed a bill in April amending the country’s 1955 marriage act.

Congratulations New Zealand! Happy Dance Time!

Check out the video below as the votes were counted and marriage equality was passed.  Very moving.

(via BBC)

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New Zealand: Best, best, best speech in parliament in support of marriage equality

New Zealand member of parliament, Maurice Williamson delivers what may be the best (and funniest) speech on behalf of marriage equality ever.

Mr. Williamson has his colleagues in stitches with his reactions to opposition to marriage equality.

‘Gay rainbow across my electorate’ is sure to be on the short list of new catch phrases of 2013.

Thank you Mr. Williamson!

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New Zealand passes marriage equality!

New Zealand has legalized same-sex marriage in a 77-44 vote on a third and final reading of the bill, the New Zealand Herald reports:

The bill will take effect in mid August and comes 27 years after New Zealand decriminalised homosexuality.

Same-sex marriage supporters at the Campaign for Marriage Equality party in Wellington cheered loudly and applauded as the bill was passed into law.

More than a hundred supporters gathered at the San Francisco Bath House bar on Wellington’s Cuba St to watch the vote. They will be joined later tonight by the bill’s sponsor, Labour MP Louisa Wall, who is expected to be welcomed with a haka before addressing supporters.

There was a din of anticipation in the moments before the vote was announced, followed by a hush as the vote was read.

The bar then erupted into cheers and applause. Supporters embraced and joined in a waiata following the vote.

Watch as the vote is announced and hundreds of spectators in the gallery of New Zealand’s parliament break into a rendition of the love song “Pokarekare Ana” in the indigenous Maori language. How fabulous for New Zealand.

New Zealand joins Uruguay, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, and Denmark as the 13th nation to offer its citizens nationwide marriage equality.

Brazil, Mexico, and of course, the U.S. offer it in parts of the country.

Who’s next?

Forward!

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New Zealand looks to final approval of marriage equality this week

NewzealandNew Zealand looks ready for final approval of marriage equality this week, TVNZ reports:

Labour MP Louisa Wall’s marriage equality member’s bill is due to have its third reading in Parliament on Wednesday night.

The bill passed its committee stages with 77 votes to 43 last month and little change was anticipated for the final vote.

Big crowds, including a few celebrities, were expected to be in Parliament’s public gallery to witness the vote.

Once the bill is passed it will be four months before the first same-sex couples can be married. Weddings could begin as early as mid-August.

(h/t Towleroad)

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New Zealand on the brink of marriage equality

It looks like New Zealand is THIS close to passing marriage equality. From the AP:

Lawmakers supported the bill 77 to 44 in the second of three votes needed for a bill to be approved. The second vote is typically the most crucial one. The third and final vote is likely to be little more than a formality and could be taken as early as next month.

Wednesday’s vote came after a committee of lawmakers considered emails and letters from thousands of New Zealanders.

More than 200 people crammed into the Parliament’s public gallery to watch lawmakers debate the bill before they voted at about 10:15 p.m. The mostly young crowd clapped and cheered for lawmakers who spoke in support of the bill, and sat in silence for those who spoke in opposition.

If passed, there is a four month waiting period before the law would go into effect.

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New Zealand: Marriage equality bill moves forward in Parliament

From the New Zealand Herald:

The Government Administration Committee said the private member’s bill should progress, but with an amendment to make it clear that no minister was obliged to marry someone against their own beliefs.

The committee report said: “The bill seeks to extend the legal right to marry to same-sex couples; it does not seek to interfere with people’s religious freedoms.”

The Marriage Act would be amended to put beyond doubt that no celebrant recognised by a religious body or nominated by an approved organisation would have to marry a couple if it meant contravening their own, or the organisation’s beliefs…

The report also said that a majority of the select committee agreed that marriage was a human right, and that it was unacceptable for the state to deny this right to same-sex couples.

The Campaign for Marriage Equality says the report “sends a clear message that New Zealand is ready for marriage equality”.

“It is a ringing endorsement of love, fairness, family, and for the equal treatment of all Kiwis before the law,” campaign spokesman Conrad Reyners said.

The bill passed by an 80-40 vote.

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New Zealand steps closer to marriage equality

In the first of three votes which have to take place, New Zealand’s marriage equality bill passed by a large margin:

The 80 to 40 vote in front of a packed and cheering public gallery was the first of three votes Parliament must take before the bill can become law, a process that typically takes several months and allows the public to weigh in. Only a simple majority was needed to ensure a second vote, and the margin is a strong indication that the law will be passed. Should New Zealand pass the measure into law, it would become the 12th country since 2001 to recognize same-sex marriages. Some states in the U.S. also recognize such marriages, but the federal government does not. Polls indicate about two-thirds of New Zealanders support gay marriage. It also has the support of most of the country’s political leaders.