Being Out Can Make A Difference
I was reflecting on that issue last night after someone raised it with me.
To respond why, I think the best way would be to share just one story – one of many which have happened to me since 1993 – illustrating the importance of how my position as an MP can impact positively on some individual lives.
National's Mask Slips
THE MASK SLIPS, BRIEFLY: LOOK CAREFULLY, AND REMEMBER WHAT YOU SEE.
Jonathan Young wants to be a National MP in the Parliament that you will elect in 3 weeks' time. He is a fairly typical member of the National Party. He's a fervent Christian (he was Senior Minister of the City Church in West Auckland for 18 years). He was born and raised in rural New Zealand, and is standing in a provincial seat (New Plymouth). He's straight, white, and older than average (50). Like other National Party candidates, he has been told to avoid public comment on policy. This is because the National Party doesn't want you to remember that, behind the mask that is John Key's bland smile, the same old bigots seek to congregate around the Cabinet Table.
AIDS MEMORIAL 2008
Large ocean-going waka, Maori canoes, were normally constructed of sections of hull tied or lashed together. If the hole in the wood through which the rope passed wasn’t properly sealed, the slow seeping in of water could eventually sink the waka. There was no warning until it was too late.
About 650 years ago, so the stories tell, Tamatea safely crossed the Pacific only for his canoe to sink in the comparative safety of the Waikato River, for just that reason. The proverb which comes from that experience is pretty straightforward: He iti wai kowhao waka e tahuri te waka.“A little water seeping through a lashing hole may swamp a canoe”. Translating that again, its all about impact.
Rainbow Labour Breakfast: “Thank you Tim”
At the annual Rainbow Labour breakfast at the weekend, departing gay MP Tim Barnett was publically thanked for his several years’ work in Parliament on LGBT issues.
“As always, it was a who’s who of Labour Party people, including the President of the Party, Mike Williams; Cabinet Ministers, Chris Carter and Maryan Street, and a number of MPs and candidates,” Labour’s Michael Wilson tells GayNZ.com.
1000 Civil Unions – milestone achieved
An important milestone has been reached with the registration of the 1000th civil union by Births, Deaths and Marriages
An important milestone has been reached with the registration of the 1000th civil union by Births, Deaths and Marriages, says Tim Barnett, Labour MP and instigator of the Civil Union legislation. South Auckland couple Alburta Gibson and Tina Pitman’s civil union took place last weekend. Their relationship started 6 years ago.
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