It is about time that LGBTQITakatāpui+ issues were brought to the forefront of our political conversations! In an effort to make this easier for you, AUMSA and Craccum have worked together to showcase what each political party has put on the table for Rainbow communities this election cycle. If you want to get even more informed about these policies, please feel free to check out www.rainbowelection2020.org.nz!
Political parties have been ordered by the number of policies they have for Rainbow communities.
Green Party
- Create an Office for Rainbow Communities, tasked with developing and implementing a plan to improve LGBTQIA+ rights, championing rainbow issues, and providing a point of government contact for rainbow communities.
- Ban conversion therapy.
- Take an active role internationally to promote human rights issues in relation to Rainbow communities throughout the world.
- Support initiatives to educate institutions, including Local and Central Government, about Rainbow issues
- Amend the Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
- Pass the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill so the process of changing gender markers on birth certificates is based on self-identification.
- Address the healthcare needs of rainbow people by prioritising the needs of intersex, transgender, and non-binary people, giving them the respect they deserve.
- Ensure schools are inclusive and safe, and workplaces are free from discrimination.
New Conservative Party
- Remove gender identity issues from being taught in schools.
- Mandate that students use bathrooms, changing rooms and participate in sport based on their biological gender [sic].
- Replace funding for gender reassignment surgery with funding for counselling.
- Repeal marriage equality laws, so that marriage is between one [cisgender] man and one [cisgender] woman only.
- Establish publicly funded pre-marriage or relationship training for [cisgender] men and [cisgender] women to undergo together prior to entering into their marriage.
- Criminalise the buying of sex.
ACT Party
- Abolish the Human Rights Commission.
- Repeal all hate speech laws, so that the only limitations on speech would be defamation, criminal nuisance and incitement to commit a crime.
National Party
- No policies provided, nor advertised online. National did not reply to my email or follow-up phone call.
- “[Homosexuals] are now saying they want to be treated the same as other people. In my view, the sad fact is – although some will find this hard to take – they are not the same.” Current National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee, in his speech against marriage equality.
- “It is not something I am particularly focussed on, ensuring that we find someone who may or may not represent the LGBTI community [sic]” Former National Party Leader Todd Muller.
- The National Party refuses to speak about conversion therapy, which is still legal in New Zealand.
- 54.2% of National MPs voted against marriage equality.
New Zealand First
- No policies provided, nor advertised online. NZ First did not reply to my email or follow-up phone call.
- New Zealand First refuses to speak about conversion therapy, which is still legal in New Zealand.
- 100% of New Zealand First MPs voted against marriage equality.
Labour Party
- Policies were not released by the deadline of this article, but MP Tamati Coffey provided an email reply assuring that the Labour Party will release policies for Rainbow communities prior to the election.
- Please refer to www.rainbowelection2020.org.nz for a more updated list.
- “Know us by our deeds. Over decades now, the rainbow community [sic] knows our record, and, on that record, I stand very proudly.” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
What have we done to make sure this article is neutral?
Every effort was made to ensure this article was as neutral and unbiased as possible. Each political party was sent an email with exactly the same wording and given the same deadline to reply. Political parties who did not respond to that email received a follow-up phone call. If political parties (1) had nothing clearly listed on their website for Rainbow communities, (2) did not reply to the email by the deadline and (3) still did not provide policy after a follow-up phone call, notable quotes and voting track-records have been used to showcase the stances these parties and their members tend to take around issues relating to Rainbow communities.
Rainbow Law Presents: Rainbow Election Policy Tool
If you want to get even more informed about the most pressing issues and policies affecting Rainbow communities this election cycle, please feel free to check out www.rainbowelection2020.org.nz! This website has been pulled together by our very talented friends over at Rainbow Law. It includes a complete, updated list of policies affecting our communities, including a breakdown of the politico-legal components with academic references cited!
About the Author
In late July, the Auckland University Medical Students’ Association (AUMSA) voted with a 92.2% majority out of 205 votes to establish a Rainbow Communities Representative on their executive council! Currently, the acting representative is Josh McCormack (He/him) and it is his job to represent and advocate for the views and interests of LGBTQITakatāpui+ communities both inside and outside our medical school. If you need to get in touch with Josh, he can be contacted at rainbowrep@aumsa.org.nz!