Gay Marriage a reality for NZ

[PhantomWolf]

Well today was the first day that Gay Marriage was legal in NZ. 30 couples took part in the first day celebrations, including one couple who won a Marriage flight from Auckland to Queenstown and were married at 30,00 feet.

So far the country hasn't devolved into hell with demons stalking the streets and vast sink holes opening to swallow the cities into the centre of the earth. (well there was one small sinkhole that opened up in a road near Christchurch but at 60cm wide and 30 deep it's really only a danger to your car's suspension.)

Hopefully some other countries might follow suit soon....

 

[Damien Evans]

As we often do on social issues Australians can currently only look across in envy.

 

[Soapy Sam]

GOD has already sent earthquakes as a SIGN of his displeasure and yet you persist in this madness!!! When will you learn?
30,000 feet you say? Did they join the 5 mile high club?

 

[PhantomWolf]

GOD has already sent earthquakes as a SIGN of his displeasure and yet you persist in this madness!!! When will you learn?
30,000 feet you say? Did they join the 5 mile high club?

pfffts, earthquakes are so last week...

 

[Morrigan]

I could have sworn NZ were like among the first countries to legalize it. Or am I thinking of something else they've been ahead of their times with?

In any case, congrats NZ on joining the civilized world.

 

[arthwollipot]

So far the country hasn't devolved into hell with demons stalking the streets and vast sink holes opening to swallow the cities into the centre of the earth.

Give it time...

 

[Giraffe107]

I can see a booming AU-NZ wedding tourism market. Here's hoping we join you before too long.

 

[PhantomWolf]

I could have sworn NZ were like among the first countries to legalize it. Or am I thinking of something else they've been ahead of their times with?

In any case, congrats NZ on joining the civilized world.

Same Sex Civil Unions were created in 2004, coming into force in April 2005.

Gay Marriage was legalised back in May, but it taken a few months to get it all ready and going, and we are among just 13 countries that allow it.

 

[ddt]

I could have sworn NZ were like among the first countries to legalize it. Or am I thinking of something else they've been ahead of their times with?

New Zealand wast the first country that allowed women to vote, in 1894 (?).

In any case, congrats NZ on joining the civilized world.

Seconded.

 

[Puppycow]

I could have sworn NZ were like among the first countries to legalize it. Or am I thinking of something else they've been ahead of their times with?

In any case, congrats NZ on joining the civilized world.

Another country starting with the letter "N", the Netherlands was the first in 2000.

http://www.pewforum.org/2013/07/16/gay-marriage-around-the-world-2013/

Same Sex Civil Unions were created in 2004, coming into force in April 2005.

Gay Marriage was legalised back in May, but it taken a few months to get it all ready and going, and we are among just 13 countries that allow it.

16 countries according to the above link, or 18 if you count countries where it is legal in some parts but not the entire country.


Japan seems to be lagging in this area, but I imagine that even Japan will one day recognize same-sex marriage.

There are already some steps in that direction:

On March 27, 2009, it was reported that Japan has given the green light for its nationals to marry same-sex foreign partners in countries where same-sex marriages are legal. Japan does not allow same-sex marriages domestically and has so far also refused to issue a key document required for citizens to wed overseas if the applicant's intended spouse was of the same gender. Under the change, the justice ministry has instructed local authorities to issue the key certificate—which states a person is single and of legal age—for those who want to enter same-sex marriages.[1]

In June 2011, the deputy head abbot of Kyoto's Shunkō-in Zen temple announced that the temple would perform same-sex marriage ceremonies in the temple as part of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.[2]

Since May 15, 2012, the Tokyo Disney Resort has allowed symbolic (not government recognized) same-sex marriage ceremonies in its Cinderella's Castle hotel.[3] On March 3, 2013, its first same-sex marriage was held.[4] Koyuki Higashi married her partner, who was only identified by the name Hiroko. [5]
Public opinion

A May 2013 Ipsos poll found that 24% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage and another 27% supported other form of recognition for same-sex couples.[6]

If you add that up, there is already a 51% majority favoring either marriage of "other form of recognition for same-sex couples". Often recognition of civil partnerships or unions is a stepping stone to recognition of gay marriage.

Besides, Japan tends to be influenced by Western norms, so as more and more Western countries recognize gay marriage, Japan will probably be influenced to follow suit.

 

[Orphia Nay]

Well done, New Zealand.

 

[catsmate]

Japan seems to be lagging in this area, but I imagine that even Japan will one day recognize same-sex marriage.

There are already some steps in that direction:

If you add that up, there is already a 51% majority favoring either marriage of "other form of recognition for same-sex couples". Often recognition of civil partnerships or unions is a stepping stone to recognition of gay marriage.

Besides, Japan tends to be influenced by Western norms, so as more and more Western countries recognize gay marriage, Japan will probably be influenced to follow suit.

Well Ireland's having a referendum on it next year (it couldn't fit into this year's busy schedule ).

 

[Alt+F4]

Woot, there it is! Thank you Kiwis!

 

[Morrigan]

New Zealand wast the first country that allowed women to vote, in 1894 (?).

Ahhh, that's what I was thinking of. Not sure how I managed to conflate events that are over a hundred years apart, but it cemented the "NZ = cool and progressive" idea in my mind, I guess.

 

[ddt]

Another country starting with the letter "N", the Netherlands was the first in 2000.

http://www.pewforum.org/2013/07/16/gay-marriage-around-the-world-2013/


16 countries according to the above link, or 18 if you count countries where it is legal in some parts but not the entire country.

Strange way of counting countries. To the rest of the world, "England and Wales" is not a country but the United Kingdom is. The UK belongs in the second list with the USA and Mexico.