Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Treasure at the End of the Rainbow

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  • Sacha,

    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.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens,

    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.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    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!”

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Just be grateful it wasn't How Great Thou Art. :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sacha,

    To continue the warm fuzzy glow of bipartisan amity, I heartily concur with the sentiment of my honourable friend.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Fraser Gardyne,

    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.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2009 • 22 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    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.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

  • Richard Aston,

    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.

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • Richard Aston,

    Interesting to see the vote list and who changed from first to third reading ( not many)

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report

  • diversitynz,

    Great post Russell — here's mine in response.

    ;-)

    Since Dec 2006 • 28 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant, in reply to George Darroch,

    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.

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • George Darroch,

    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.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report

  • Alex Efimoff,

    Attachment

    The moment of becoming equal @ the lobby of the Beehive.

    Wellington • Since Dec 2011 • 56 posts Report

  • Tristan,

    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

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 221 posts Report

  • Tristan,

    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..

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 221 posts Report

  • Pete Sime,

    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.

    Dunedin • Since Apr 2008 • 171 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    “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?

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to nzlemming,

    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.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • nzlemming, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Yeah, I did the former which didn't work, but forgot the latter.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    I am apparently incapable of seeing the post-vote waiata without crying. Today was a bad day to wear mascara.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Lisa Wilde,

    Sheesh. Blubbing again.

    Petone • Since Jan 2011 • 3 posts Report

  • Gabor Toth, in reply to Fraser Gardyne,

    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.

    Wellington • Since Dec 2006 • 137 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Tristan,

    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.)

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • James Caygill,

    Don't forget that Homosexual Law Reform actually legalised sodomy for all, not just men.

    Christchurch • Since Oct 2007 • 34 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to James Caygill,

    Don’t forget that Homosexual Law Reform actually legalised sodomy for all, not just men.

    True dat!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

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