by Robert Wilkinson
Recently a Member of Parliament in NeZ delivered one of the more honest and funny speeches I've heard in a long time regarding anything controversial. This one will make you smile!!
(Thanks for the tip from a reader. The you tube video sez he's from Oz. So I corrected it to NeZ = New Zealand.)
From a friend, a video of a very courageous and funny man. For a politician, this is pure gold! He's obviously a "straight up" kind of guy, who calls it as he sees it. Welcome to 4 minutes of straight talk and fun! For your enjoyment, Maurice Williamson's 'big gay rainbow' speech
As the Man sez, "Be Ye Not Afraid." And yes, life does go on, regardless of what most politicians and fearmongers believe.....
© Copyright 2013 Robert Wilkinson
Where can we get politicians like this? Maybe I have to move to OZ.
Posted by: Tolly | April 25, 2013 at 04:51 PM
Great speech! Thanks for posting about it. One small correction though - Maurice is from New Zealand not Australia. Australia is yet to legalise same sex marriage unfortunately. I wish we had politicians like Maurice in Australia!
Posted by: Michelle from Oz | April 25, 2013 at 05:30 PM
Hi there Robert; this was very funny and brilliant but sadly, not Australian.
This was the New Zealand Parliament in action.
Unfortunately; Australia is just as backward on some issues as America!
Posted by: Amrita | April 25, 2013 at 05:33 PM
I want to move to Oz!!! Absolutely brilliant!!!thanks Robert!!!
Posted by: Micheline | April 25, 2013 at 05:44 PM
Thank you so much from here in New Zealand for posting this Robert! It's kinda cool that these sensible progressive comments came from a member of the currently governing New Zealand National Party - which traditionally leans towards the conservative centre right of the political continuum. On the day Maurice made this speech the Marriage Equality Bill passed successfully to resounding applause and joy from the packed public gallery in Parliament followed by spontaneous singing of a treasured folksong 'Pokarekare Ana' - a beautiful love song in the language of Aotearoa New Zealand's indigenous Maori people which is much loved by New Zealanders of all racial heritages and sort of our unofficial national anthem.
I wonder whether this Bill being passed is an example of Uranus square Pluto in action on the wider global stage..national culture gets an official update from progressive freedom fighting Uranus cultural elements squaring off with and winning out over old ideas embedded in a Plutonian power structure now passing into archived history? Pluto transformation within a nations culture instigated by folk engaging in Uranian humanitarian lobbying for the populace to share equal freedoms? I join so many of my fellow New Zealanders in feeling very proud of our little country for valuing diversity and freedom in this way by enshrining in law this freedom to marry whomever we love. If you're interested here's a link from a NZ news website where you can hear and see the joy and song erupt from the public gallery as the Bill's passed. ..it's really very very moving http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8560494/Marriage-equality-bill-passes-third-reading
And Robert as you're a music fan here's a link to the song the people in the public gallery celebrated with. It mentions the story of the songs origin and why it means so much to us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgRVK2ge1ys
Michelene and Tolly yes you'd be very welcome if you wanted to move to New Zealand I'm sure :) Check out our lovely scenery in the song link above! We're next door neighbours to OZtralia and they haven't legalised same sex marriage there yet though a recent poll there showed 64% in favour of marriage equality. Arohanui (big love to all) from Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud) NZ and thank you for celebrating with us!
Posted by: Rahera | April 26, 2013 at 12:19 AM
yes- made good news here - one of those "proud to be a kiwi" moments. should point out we have had gay civil unions here for years so full legal marriage rights seemed to have taken a while.
cheers brett
Posted by: brett | April 26, 2013 at 05:05 AM
Brilliant. Not only the speech but the chance to see a politician that talks clearly, to the point, makes sense and knows how to back a fair cause!
Thanks for that,
Nic
Posted by: Nic | April 27, 2013 at 10:28 AM