Hard News: The Treasure at the End of the Rainbow
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Was a wonderful event. Kevin Hague talking about belonging got me blubbing. I felt happy for my friends over the years who can now honour their love the same as anyone else. And proud for all of us taking this step towards cultural maturity.
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Over at the handmirror there is post entitled "Sometimes, we win". But I think this is entirely wrong. In this country at least, when debate is allowed to occur the better - the mild and gentle aspect - of our national character has ALWAYS handed the the angry and conservative elements in our society a crushing defeat. In our fair isles in terms of progressive policies we don't win sometimes. We always win, eventually.
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But for now, know this: all over the world, right now, people are watching our Parliament mark the passage of this important, symbolic bill in a manner that was beautiful, moving, precious and thoroughly our own.
True that – but it would have been awesome if Parliament had busted out Nga Iwi E ( instrumental coverhere by The Yoots)
Titiro e nga iwi e nga mahi o te motu
E hora atu nei e
Rū ana te whenua, whatiwhati te moana
Aue te aroha te mamae i ahau e.Still gives me the good shivers every damn time. “See our people working on the lad, spread far and wide. The earth trembles, the sea parts. Oh, the love, the sorrow in my heart!”
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Sacha, in reply to
Just be grateful it wasn't How Great Thou Art. :)
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Craig Ranapia, in reply to
To continue the warm fuzzy glow of bipartisan amity, I heartily concur with the sentiment of my honourable friend.
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Hi Craig,
I didn't realise Ricky Gervais was such a player! An excellent clip of The Yoots.
Well written Russell and I whole heartedly agree. Last night was the first time, at the prompting of my daughter, that we sat down and watched Parliament on TV. It was history in the making and compelling viewing. Not what I was expecting at all. The positive vibes across party lines was great to witness.
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It's heartening to see this pull through. Looking at the no votes, the almost entire absence of women is striking. There are a few (Lee, Tolley, Lole Taylor, Tisch), but opposition is almost entirely a men's game. If we had more equality in Parliament, we'd have more equality in Parliament.
The great numbers of proxies also suggests that those who lost the argument against equality last night didn't have the heart to stand up against the thousands watching them.
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It was a great day and I am very happy for my gay friends and for the fact New Zealand has evolved in some way through this.
But more than that it was so refreshing to see parliament engaged in an actual civilized debate, a real dialogue with lots of obvious respect being shown from both sides. That gave me some hope.
Winston Peters lost what tiny shred of respect I had for him , such a political stance, voted against but fudged it by saying a referendum was needed and the fact he instructed his whole party to vote as a block - it was meant to be a personal vote. Loved Tau Henare's response though, calling Winston a shyster.
And what the hell was Chester Borrows banging on about ?
I didn't get the endless assurances to marriage celebrants that they would not be forced to marry gay couples. I am a part time marriage celebrant - man I am going to be busy now! - and I as far as I know their has never been a legal requirement on celebrants to officiate if they don't want to. Its a non issue.
On a side note the music Parliament TV played during the vote was just dreadful , elevator music. They could do better.
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Interesting to see the vote list and who changed from first to third reading ( not many)
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Great post Russell — here's mine in response.
;-)
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Idiot Savant, in reply to
It's heartening to see this pull through. Looking at the no votes, the almost entire absence of women is striking. There are a few (Lee, Tolley, Lole Taylor, Tisch), but opposition is almost entirely a men's game. If we had more equality in Parliament, we'd have more equality in Parliament.
Lindsay Tisch is a man (he was presiding as Deputy Speaker at the actual vote). Which strengthens your point.
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Lindsay Tisch
Whoops. Embarrassing. I missed Upston, Shanks, Stewart and Roy off the list. Hopefully that's everybody. No doubt, they do represent the bastions of prejudice, and no doubt we can and will do what is in our power to replace them with shining examples of love and justice.
ETA: I just wrote to thank David Bennett. Doing the right thing is often harder when you're near the line, but it's just as worthy.
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The moment of becoming equal @ the lobby of the Beehive.
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yes it was great to be able to collectively watch and talk and laugh via #twiter. Was also fun to see the occasional MP respond while sitting in the house (im look at you Mr Cunliffe) It was nice to see the chamber while the vote was on instead of that damn infernal jet boat You could tell the MP's were not aware the cameras were still on great also to see the house stay sitting so we could partake in the celebrations.
Watching it again this morning there is no way anyone was going to heed Lindsay Tisch's request to 'refrain from comment
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on a sadder note there was an interesting shot of john banks (wasn't his mea culpa just amazing!) with not a single national MP sitting behind him. I'm told many of them were in Judith Collins office to watch Thatcher being buried..
That tells me all I need to know about her..
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I really enjoyed having my iPad in hand following Twitter while watching the events unfold on Parliament TV. It's a really great way of fostering political engagement - people not only speaking up while watching on from the peanut gallery, but engaging in conversation. And the character limit prevents screeds of diatribes from being posted.
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nzlemming, in reply to
“See our people working on the lad, spread far and wide.
Oh, man, I'm hoping that's not a literal translation! Imma sending you a bag of n's as you seem to be running short.
PS I know I've been away, but didn't there used to be a quote function on here?
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Russell Brown, in reply to
PS I know I’ve been away, but didn’t there used to be a quote function on here?
Highlight the text you want to quote and hit "Reply", or use the quote code shown below your edit window.
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nzlemming, in reply to
Yeah, I did the former which didn't work, but forgot the latter.
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I am apparently incapable of seeing the post-vote waiata without crying. Today was a bad day to wear mascara.
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Sheesh. Blubbing again.
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Gabor Toth, in reply to
An excellent clip of The Yoots
You should have heard them at WOMAD last month when they teamed up with the 80-voice Aotearoa National Maori Choir who reformed for the occasion; it was sublime. That the choir have been virtually dormant for about a decade is such a shame.
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Craig Ranapia, in reply to
That tells me all I need to know about her..
What, like Collins voted for marriage equality at all stages? (And some of the stories I’ve heard about the lobbying both she her Pasifika husband where subjected to? Well, I really hope they’re not true.)
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Don't forget that Homosexual Law Reform actually legalised sodomy for all, not just men.
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Russell Brown, in reply to
Don’t forget that Homosexual Law Reform actually legalised sodomy for all, not just men.
True dat!
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