Hundreds of people gathered in front of Parliament this afternoon to rally against a New Zealand First member’s bill which seeks to legally define what a ‘man’ and ‘woman’ are. The rally was organised by queer advocacy group Queer Endurance in Defiance.
The bill was proposed in April by NZ First MP Jenny Marcroft and will be debated in Parliament if it is pulled from the ballot.
It has been criticised by queer organisation RainbowYOUTH, whose co-chairs say “trans people, takatāpui and the queer community are not a threat to society”.
“Our existence is a beautiful and integral part of the rich tapestry of human experience. We stand in solidarity with our community against this bill.”
The bill has also been called a “distraction” by Leader of the House and National MP Chris Bishop.
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters says the proposed law “is not about being anti-anyone or anti-anything”.
He added: “This is about ensuring we as a country focus on the facts of biology and protect the term ‘woman’ in law”.
The bill proposes adding new sections to the Legislation Act 2019 to define a “woman” as “an adult human biological female” and a “man” as “an adult human biological male”.
New Zealand First says the bill would “safeguard sex-based protections and the importance of sex-based rights”.
It will only become law if it is pulled from the ballot and gets the support of other parties but it has already stirred up controversy on a sensitive issue.
Re: News asked rangatahi at the rally why they are protesting and how the proposed bill makes them feel.
Sylvie, she/her, 18
“I’m here because Winston Peters doesn’t get the right to debate whether people like me should exist.”
“And I disagree with his attempt to export American culture wars to New Zealand.”
“The coalition government has a greater responsibility to serve the interests of all New Zealanders. And instead, they’re wasting not only our time, but frankly their own time and everyone else’s time trying to define what a woman is and trying to follow in the footsteps of the UK.”
Red, 18, he/him
“I feel like this is a non-issue.”
“There are so many other issues we should be focussing on and this is just a hateful bill that doesn’t address anything.”
Te Urukeiha, Tūhoe, 18, he/him
“I’m here today because the attacks on trans people are only increasing and I’ve had access to my hormones for almost three years now, but I’m scared for the younger trans people who may lose access to it.”
“Being here today is about protecting young trans lives.”
Ari, Tūhoe, 25
“I’ve come out here today because I was upset at seeing another attack on our community again.”
“I’m really scared because it feels like Winston Peters is attempting to bring American-style culture-war politics to New Zealand and it’s working.”
“I’m scared for trans Māori youth and how their sovereignty over their own identity is being challenged in another way.”
Payton, 18, she/her
“I’m here today for all of my trans friends and family, to show up for them against the hate they get every single day.”
Alex, 28
“I’m concerned about trans people being politicised in a way that’s really harmful to our communities.”
“I just want to show that trans people have always existed and it’s just a natural part of human existence.”
Every action that’s harmful to our communities, there’s always this massive show out of support and pride and that fills me up with actually a lot of energy.”
Tristan Cordelia, she/they
“Things like this bill put us in a position where we feel like we have to argue about our right to exist.”
“The point today isn’t so much about trying to influence Parliament, we’re not really worried that this bill is going to pass. It might not even get picked out of the tin.”
“It’s to try to bring our community together in solidarity and to remind each other that we are strong together.”
Alex, 23, she/they
“I am transgender, and I think it’s shameful the way the Government is sort of targeting us when there are actual serious issues they are blatantly ignoring.
“I feel like it’s important to show up and make noise so they know we’re not going to stand for this.”
