Youth urge MPs to vote for marriage equality

In a rare move of political unity, the Young Nationals, Young Labour, Young Greens, Mana Rangatahi and Act on Campus have issued a joint statement urging all their MPs to vote in favour of Louisa Wall’s same sex marriage bill at its first reading on Wednesday.

Young Nats President Sean Topham said that Young Nats from around the country had been lobbying National MPs to vote in favour of marriage equality; “Our generation overwhelmingly supports marriage equality and the Young Nats have been lobbying our MPs to support this Bill from day one. We believe in freedom and equal opportunity for all Kiwis and our generation clearly agrees."

Young Labour spokesperson Sam Thompson said that marriage equality and adoption reform were voted as the number one policy priority at the Young Labour conference. “We believe this is a human rights issue and a generational one. If our representatives in Wellington really value equality and a fair go, they'll make a commitment to expand the right to marry to everyone who has a partner they love and want to spend their life with," said Thompson.

Young Greens spokesperson Izzy Lomax said that the Young Greens are delighted that all 14 Green MPs will be voting in favour of marriage equality, and they hope MPs from other parties will also vote strongly in favour. “Young Greens believe in a society without discrimination, and we want to see an end to all discrimination against rainbow communities, starting with allowing loving same sex couples to marry”.

Mana Rangatahi spokesperson Ian Anderson said that “Mana Rangatahi’s policy is in favour of marriage equality and we are delighted that Mana Party Leader Hone Harawira will be voting in favour of the bill at its first reading”.

Act on Campus spokesperson Hayden Fitzgerald said that Act on Campus were long-time supporters of marriage equality, and are delighted that so many MPs will be voting in favour of Louisa Wall’s bill. “ACT on Campus has long held the view that there should be one law for all. We believe marriage equality is a key part of achieving this.”

The five youth wings, representing youth members of parties comprising 110 of the 121 MPs in Parliament believe their combined show of support reflects the over-whelming support for marriage equality amongst younger New Zealanders (76% in favour in Colmar Brunton May 2012 poll).

ENDS

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