[Civil Unions] Bill passes second reading by 65 to 55

[drcuriosity]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3115925a10,00.html

There's still a few steps to go in putting all the legislation into place, but it looks like there's a very good chance that NZ will have legal recognition of the civil unions of same-sex couples soon.

I know that it's not going to be the happiest thing for those who think that even this step is a degradation of the institution of marriage, or for those on the other side who don't want it to be called anything less than "marriage", but I'd like to think that it's a workable compromise and a victory for human rights, no matter what one's religious convictions on the matter are.


In other news, I'm nauseous and crampy and sore and unable to sleep, so I'm not going to make it in to university tomorrow and see one of my lab-mate's seminars, or be present for clienty people from Wellington visiting. Argh.

But still mostly yay.

Comments

[elissa-carey.livejournal.com]

Well, it's good to see that we can count New Zealand amongst the sane. :)

[drcuriosity]

We have our moments :-)

[anditron.livejournal.com]

In other news, I'm nauseous and crampy and sore and unable to sleep, so I'm not going to make it in to university tomorrow

did you become a girl when i wasn't looking? ;)

feel better soon.

[drcuriosity]

Nope - but I did have a hernia in a similar area once, so I kinda know that feeling. Well, better than most guys would. Just a stomach bug thing, in this case.

Thank'ee lady. *hugs*

[kimeros.livejournal.com]

I'm so excited about the Civil Unions Bill getting through the next stage. Thomas and I are hoping to get one :-)

[sethop.livejournal.com]

It's good to live in a liberal democracy.

I'm seriously tempted to join the local labour party just so that I can help Tim Barnette kick the snot out of those Destiny prats in the next election. Not that he'll need my help, he won by one of the largest margins in the country last time around. Nice guy, too.

[wootduosmaster.livejournal.com]

Im glad this passed ^_^

.......*started big ranty thing.*

*goes to put it on shinra_agenda.*

^_^;;

[rtmiss.livejournal.com]

HUGS! Feel better! (not a request, an instruction!)

[st-innocent.livejournal.com]

My sister and I discussed the Civil Union bill, with many references to Irish politics. She pointed out that Civil Union is a lot like Home Rule as a step to an Irish republic, and also that I should stop being such a bloody Michael Collins.

[envy-x.livejournal.com]

Yay for the CUB! Hopefully it'll pave the way for same-sex marriage.

[isaacfreeman.livejournal.com]

I know that it's not going to be the happiest thing for those who think that even this step is a degradation of the institution of marriage, or for those on the other side who don't want it to be called anything less than "marriage", but I'd like to think that it's a workable compromise and a victory for human rights, no matter what one's religious convictions on the matter are.

I'd prefer to thinking of the Civil Union Bill as a step towards getting the State out of marriage altogether. I do believe that marriage is inherently a heterosexual thing, but if I remarried I'd combine my religious ceremony with a civil union, because I'd prefer the Government to be impartial.

I say let civil unions be a legal contract available to anyone, let religious communities keep their own beliefs about what a marriage is, and keep the two concepts distinct.

[drcuriosity]

Sounds like a wise idea to me. Well said :-)

[electricmstress.livejournal.com]

yes totally...but...
goth picnic (http://www.livejournal.com/community/nz_goth/24021.html/)
You should come :)

[drcuriosity]

I'll do my best to get better in time :-)

Rest up :)

[electricmstress.livejournal.com]

It has been a year of it, so I hope you cut yourself some slack now.

And here is the improved link goth picnic meet (http://www.livejournal.com/community/nz_goth/24021.html)