New Zealand legalises same sex marriage

New Zealand has become the first country in the Asia Pacific region to legalise same sex marriage. Civil partnerships have existed in the country since 2005, but this now grants completely equal status between heterosexual and same sex marriages. Scotland has just finished a consultation on the issue, and may well be the first country to follow suit in the very near future.

The following video shows the moment when the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill was made into law in New Zealand after its 3rd reading. Watch what happens after - a great parliamentary moment! (about 1 min 22 secs in)

(With thanks to @stephenfry and @lovesaflower78 - original story at www2.macleans.ca/2013/04/17/new-zealand-house-of-commons-bursts-into-song-after-legalizing-same-sex-marriage/)

Chris

My new book, Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet, is now available from Pen and Sword. For my other genealogy books, please visit  http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html; whilst for my online Scottish based genealogy courses please visit the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd site.