Measure supporting traditional marriage defeated in New Zealand

Published: 2005-12-19

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CNS) -- A marriage amendment bill stipulating that marriages may occur "only between one man and one woman" was defeated in a 73-47 vote in New Zealand's Parliament. The Marriage Gender Clarification Amendment was presented by Gordon Copeland of the United Future Party. It was defeated at its first reading in early December. Chris Finlayson, a Catholic member of the National Party, said he supported marriage as a union between one man and one woman but called the proposed legislation ill-conceived. During a speech, he said there is "nothing to clarify because the law is clear." Finlayson said an appeals court ruling denying a same-sex marriage in New Zealand in the 1990s demonstrated that same-sex marriages are not permitted under the country's Marriage Act. He also noted that 2004 civil union legislation "further clarified the position."

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