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Govt can't redefine marriage - McCoskrie

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Key indifferent to gay marriage

3News NZ

Prime Minister John Key at the Big Gay Out in 2011

Prime Minister John Key at the Big Gay Out in 2011

Prime Minister John Key coming out saying he isn't personally opposed to same-sex marriage has prompted a lobby group to question the state's right to re-invent marriage.

Mr Key was asked about the issue after US president Barack Obama said he supports same-sex marriage, ending a period of equivocation on a divisive issue.

"I am not personally opposed to gay marriage," Mr Key said.

"It's possible that Parliament may consider a member's bill at some stage, but it is not on the government's agenda."

Mr Key's position has triggered a response from lobby group Family First, which says the state didn't invent marriage and has no authority to re-invent it.

"A homosexual cannot now legally marry. But neither can a whole lot of other people," the group's national director, Bob McCoskrie, said.

"A five-year-old boy cannot marry. Three people cannot get married to each other. A married man can't marry another person. Two old aunties living together cannot marry. A father cannot marry his adult daughter. A football team cannot enact group marriage - the list is endless."

Being pro-marriage and wanting to maintain its definition as being between a man and a woman was not "anti-gay", Mr McCoskrie said.

Mr Key earlier said he didn't think there was any clamour for gay marriage in New Zealand.

Labour leader David Shearer says he personally supported marriage equality.

Civil unions between same-sex couples have been allowed in New Zealand since 2005.

NZN

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Comments

13/05/2012 12:32:51 a.m.

clive wrote:

Is it Butch?or is it definitely straight,is he wearing a ring on his little finger??

12/05/2012 11:57:42 p.m.

David wrote:

@Julie The meek shall inherit the earth, judge not least ye be judged... And just remember that jesus threw The money lenders/wealth speculators/right wingers out of the temples in Jeruselum. What Colin Craig needs to learn is that he lives his life in direct conflict with what the bible says... from his job (gambling on the housing market)... to his personal hatreds and bigotries as well as his massive misinterpretations of the bible.

12/05/2012 5:41:19 p.m.

Matty wrote:

I'm sooooo sick of religion trying to keep it's hand in our laws. It's just pathetic that in a country where the majority are atheist that the church could possibly dictate marriage laws. This is 2012, marriage is a legality, whether people choose to view it as sacred is their choice, however the church should not and has not any legal power or influence...

12/05/2012 5:34:38 p.m.

Bruce wrote:

Jeesh, the man has no bounds. Key says he personally is not opposed to gay marriage. Then. Why did he oppose the civil union bill and the Relationships (Statutory References) Act which was past on 15 March 2005? or. is he saying he is not opposed simply because. president Obama has said he is not opposed to gay marriage.. Key is a liar. You can not trust a liar.

12/05/2012 9:05:23 a.m.

Julie wrote:

I agree with Bob McCroskie. Marriage was ordained between a man and a woman, only. Two of the same sex in a supposed relationship is not normal, in fact under God's law it is an abomination. Mr Key shows a weak response to being questioned - he has changed his tune and shows a lack of morality and is in no doubt being influenced by the gay community and President Obama's recent turncoat comments.

11/05/2012 12:34:37 p.m.

Kboy wrote:

There is a difference between two, UNRELATED consenting adults getting married - and a Father marrying his underaged daughter! That argument is just bloody idiotic and shows a complete lack of understanding. If you want to go with the original definitions of marriage, then by all means - I'm sure many women would love to be considered property of their husbands! To have no say in their lives, their only purpose to have babies and continue their husbands line. We're supposed to have equal rights and separation of church and state. Yet why does religion still get a say in these matters?? You want to retain the sanctity of marriage? Outlaw divorce. I'm sure you'd get loads of votes >_>

11/05/2012 11:31:14 a.m.

steven wrote:

Bob McCoskrie needs to keep his brown nose out of secular affairs,he couldnt be heard saying much when his mate capell was violating childrens rights with his moral sensibilities.Is same sex marriage as morally repugnant as the atrocities contained in his bible?

11/05/2012 11:28:55 a.m.

mark wrote:

Bahahaha "A homosexual cannot now legally marry. But neither can a whole lot of other people," "A five-year-old boy cannot marry. Three people cannot get married to each other. Seriously TV3, where do you find these people? Amazeballs!