MEDIA RELEASE

4 March 2013

Coroner First of Many To Be Muzzled For View on Gay Marriage

Family First NZ says that Coroner Gordon Matenga will be the first of many in public service who will be muzzled or face trial by media because of their views on same-sex marriage.

“Thank goodness for the common sense of the Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, who has not made such a tenuous link as the Labour party and the Sunday Star Times have,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“However, this is a warning for what is going to happen on an increasing level to people who oppose the redefinition of marriage, as evidenced overseas.”

“Not only does the proposed same-sex marriage bill not protect the religious freedom and personal beliefs of the majority of marriage celebrants or registrars performing marriages, but those in any form of public service including teachers will be coerced to support same-sex marriage or face the same sort of public trial that Coroner Matenga has.”

Just last week, a UK police chaplain says he was forced out of his post after criticising the Government’s plans for gay marriage on his personal website;

In Australia, tennis great Margaret Court came under attack when she expressed opposition to same-sex marriage early in 2012. Court was accused by same-sex marriage activists of spreading “hateful comments” and “inciting the bigots out there”;

In 2011, a respected Canadian sports anchor was fired after expressing support for the traditional definition of marriage on his Twitter account;

In 2011, dual gold-medallist Peter Vidmar was chosen to be chef de mission for the United States team at the 2012 London Olympics but was pressured to resign simply because he had supported Proposition 8, the measure which defined marriage as between a man and a woman in California;

In the UK, a housing trust worker lost his managerial position, had his salary cut by 40%, and was given a final written warning after posting on his personal (and private) Facebook account that hosting gay weddings in churches was ‘an equality too far’.

“These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. Some advocates for same-sex marriage don’t want equality – they want superiority, and will go after anyone who holds opposing views. Coroner Matenga will be just the first of many victims,” says Mr McCoskrie.

ENDS

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