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New Zealand could have the most rainbow parliament in world history after this month’s general election.
Speaking at a loud Labor campaign event at Wellington’s gay bar Ivy, the party’s rainbow representative, Paul Stevens, predicted a rainbow MPs sweep through parliament and attacked National for lack of sexual diversity.
“Our polls are pretty strong. We will have the most rainbow parliament in the world, possibly the most rainbow parliament in the world, ”he said.
“By the way, I note that National has no one on the list or in an electorate [who is rainbow]. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think that’s representative. “
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At the event, Labor MP Tāmati Coffey announced that the party would reform abortion laws and provide gender-neutral toilets in public schools, among a host of other LGBTQ + policies.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Monday that Labor would pass a law banning conversion therapy in the next term.
Rainbow Labor MP Tāmati Coffey, who was introduced by a drag king performance of Feel good by Nina Simone, called the practice “fundamentally wrong.”
SUPPLIED / Stuff
Tamati Coffey, a Labor MP from the Waiariki electorate, says she struggled with outdated adoption laws when her son was born by surrogacy.
Coffey said Labor “would have loved” to see a ban imposed in this period, but hinted that it was blocked by coalition partner NZ First.
“Being in a coalition means certain restrictions for you,” he said.
Conversion therapy is the practice of trying to change a person’s sexual orientation through psychological or medical intervention. It is widely discredited as ineffective and harmful.
“Conversion therapy is based on the misconception that people are wrong or broken because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is fundamentally wrong, ”Coffey said, before the policy announcement.
FELIX DESMARAIS / THINGS
Green MP Jan Logie has said that a rainbow affairs ministry, department or agency would help streamline funding and advocacy processes. (Video first published in March 2019).
“The evidence shows that it is relatively common and a recent survey from New Zealand found that more than one in six participants reported that a professional had tried to avoid being trans or non-binary.
“It is a hurtful and out of place practice in the friendly, inclusive and modern country that we are,” Coffey said.
Stevens said he had undergone conversion therapy at age 17. It was designed to try to “scare” her out of being queer.
“They tried to straighten me out, and I wanted to be because that’s all I knew.”
The policy announcement also included an additional $ 4 million for rainbow mental health initiatives.
Rainbow people in New Zealand have a disproportionately high level of mental health problems compared to the rest of the population and are at increased risk of suicide.
Other policies announced include reforms to the adoption processes. Under current law, couples using a surrogate to give birth must go through a rigorous legal process to adopt their own genetic children.
The adoption process includes court orders, home visits, and interviews to determine suitability. Both the UK and Australia have recently announced similar reviews.
Coffey had to go through the adoption process himself in 2019, when he and his husband Tim Smith welcomed their son Tūtānekai Smith-Coffey.
Labor MP Louisa Walls spearheaded the announcement for gender neutral toilets.
“Research has shown that fostering ownership in the school environment improves student achievement,” said Wall.
In a recent survey, less than half of trans and non-binary high school students reported that unisex restrooms were available at their school.
The Government would work with schools to provide unisex restrooms as an option for students and would require gender neutral facilities for all new school construction.
