Gay Marriage Legalized In New Zealand

Gay-rights supporters in Wellington kiss to celebrate New Zealand becoming the first Asia-Pacific country to legalise same-s*x marriage.
Picture credit: AFP

Gay-rights advocates were in joyous mood at New Zealand’s Parliament as the country became the 13th country in the world and the first in the Asia-Pacific region to legalise same-s*x marriage.
Lawmakers voted 77 to 44 in favour of the gay-marriage bill sponsored by Louisa Wall on its third and final reading.
“For us, we can now feel equal to everyone else,” said Tania Penafiel Bermudez, a bank teller who said she already considers herself married to partner Sonja Fry but now can get a certificate to prove it. “This means we can feel safe and fair and right in calling each other wife and wife.”
People watching from the public gallery and some lawmakers immediately broke into song after the result was announced, singing the New Zealand love song Pokarekare Ana in the indigenous Maori language.

Louisa Wall told lawmakers the change was “our road toward healing”.
“In our society, the meaning of marriage is universal – it’s a declaration of love and commitment to a special person,” she said. She added that “nothing could make me more proud to be a New Zealander than passing this bill”.
Lawmakers didn’t vote along party lines, but each voted based on their beliefs and as their conscience dictated. Although Ms Wall is from the opposition Labour Party, the bill also was supported by centre-right Prime Minister John Key.
“In my view, marriage is a very personal thing between two individuals,” Mr Key said.
“And, in the end, this is part of equality in modern-day New Zealand.”
Since 2005, New Zealand has allowed civil unions, which confer many legal rights to gay couples. The new law will allow gay couples to jointly adopt children for the first time and will also allow their marriages to be recognised in other countries. The law will take effect in late August.

Ellen DeGeneres Has a Message for the Supreme Court

Showing support for a cause close to her heart, Ellen DeGeneres posted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of gay marriage on her show’s Facebook page on Friday (March 1).
Married to actress Porta DeRossi for four years, the talk show comedian urged the court to overturn California’s Proposition 8, which prohibits gay marriage in California.

In typical Ellen fashion, the 55-year-old began the letter with a little humor, “California’s Proposition 8 is headed to the Supreme Court. Hundreds of companies and families as well as Republicans are submitting briefs urging the 9 judges to allow gay people to marry. I thought that was ridiculous. Why would judges want all of that underwear? Then, after a quick talk with some people, I found out what a brief was.”
She wrapped up the poignant message with “I hope the Supreme Court will do the right thing, and let everyone enjoy the same rights. It’s going to help keep families together. It’s going to make kids feel better about who they are. And it is time.”
Check out the full text of Ellen’s message to the Supreme Court below.
California’s Proposition 8 is headed to the Supreme Court. Hundreds of companies and families as well as Republicans are submitting briefs urging the 9 judges to allow gay people to marry. I thought that was ridiculous. Why would judges want all of that underwear? Then, after a quick talk with some people, I found out what a brief was.
I’ve never filed a brief to the Supreme Court, so I thought I would post mine here. I’m sure someone will tweet it to them.
Portia and I have been married for 4 years and they have been the happiest of my life. And in those 4 years, I don’t think we hurt anyone else’s marriage. I asked all of my neighbors and they say they’re fine.
But even though Portia and I got married in the short period of time when it was legal in California, there are 1,138 federal rights for married couples that we don’t have, including some that protect married people from losing their homes, or their savings or custody of their children.
The truth is, Portia and I aren’t as different from you as you might think. We’re just trying to find happiness in the bodies and minds we were given, like everyone else.
Coming out was one of the hardest things I ever did. I didn’t intend to be on the cover of Time magazine saying, “Yep, I’m gay.” The truth is, I don’t even remember saying that. I mean, I definitely said the “I’m gay” part. It’s the “yep” I don’t remember. I’m not really a “yep” person. “Yes siree Bob” maybe. But not “yep.”
In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “We’re here, we’re queer, get over it.” And there’s another famous quote that says “A society is judged by how it treats its weakest members.” I couldn’t agree with that more. No one’s really sure who said it first, so if anyone asks, tell them I said it.
I hope the Supreme Court will do the right thing, and let everyone enjoy the same rights. It’s going to help keep families together. It’s going to make kids feel better about who they are. And it is time.
*I was just told Benjamin Franklin did not say that first quote. I apologize and see that I have a lot to learn about stuff.

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