Campaign for Marriage Equality welcomes support from select committee

The New Zealand Campaign for Marriage Equality has welcomed the release of the Government and Administration's Select Committee report today, which has strongly endorsed the Marriage Equality Bill before Parliament.

"The report sends a clear message that New Zealand is ready for marriage equality. It is a ringing endorsement of love, fairness, family, and for the equal treatment of all kiwis before the law" said campaign spokesperson Conrad Reyners.

The Campaign acknowledges the thousands of New Zealanders who made submissions in support of marriage equality. “So many kiwis told incredibly personal stories in support of the bill. Their courage has been rewarded by the select committee report released today,” said Conrad Reyners.

The campaign is also pleased to see the rights of religious organisations protected, with the select committee recommending an amendment to the Bill to protect the religious beliefs of celebrants and organisations.

The Campaign for Marriage Equality supported over 10,000 submissions in favour of the Marriage Equality Bill. This was in addition to support from a range of community stakeholders, including Churches, NGOs, legal organisations and the Human Rights Commission.

"The majority of submissions to the select committee prove that ordinary kiwis want marriage to be about love, family, fairness and equal treatment. It's fantastic to see the select committee report reflect this modern reality" said Conrad Reyners.

The Campaign for Marriage Equality is delighted with the release of the select committee report supporting the bill and urges all members of parliament to vote in favour of this historic change at the bill's second reading on 13 March.
For more information about the campaign see:
• http://marriageequality.co.nz
• http://thecasefor/marriageequality.co.nz
• www.facebook.com/campaignformarriageequality

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