Young Labour says stop state-funded homophobia

Young Labour is calling for the cancellation of all government funding being granted to Destiny Church.

Young Labour President Ella Hardy, and Sam Thompson, Young Labour’s Rainbow Representative, say their organisation is appalled by revelations this week from Social Development Minister Paula Bennett that Te Runanga a Iwi o Te Oranga Ake – the social services arm of homophobic Destiny Church – has received $860,000 in taxpayer money.

“Destiny is an organisation which preaches prejudice against women, homosexuals and children and has been proven to divide communities in order to marginalise these groups. Comments by leader Brian Tamaki and Destiny have both offended and caused anger amongst New Zealanders and his organisation should not be the beneficiary of tax-payer funds.” Ms Hardy says.

“There are many deserving organisations that are already established in the community that are working to help families, single mothers and children and who are struggling to run their programmes with inadequate resourcing from the Government.” Ms Thompson argues.

“Young Labour is also deeply concerned to hear that Members of Parliament attended the Destiny Church’s conference recently and failed to challenge the church and its leader on the homophobic, sexist and prejudiced teachings that it espouses” Hardy concluded.

Destiny Church was responsible for the black-shirted “Enough is Enough” march on Parliament against civil unions in 2004 which Young Labour counter-protested against.

ENDS

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