New Zealand approves Marriage Equality

The New York Times reports the AP story:

Hundreds of jubilant gay-rights advocates celebrated at New Zealand’s Parliament on Wednesday as the country become the 13th in the world and the first in the Asia-Pacific region to legalize same-sex marriage.

After the tally was announced visitors in the gallery broke out in “Pokarekare Ana,” a Maori love song. Video:

ABC Australia reports on its support, opposition, what it opens the door to concerning rights, and the likely reaction in Australia :

The Australian Marriage Equality lobby group says hundreds of same-sex Australian couples are now planning to head to New Zealand to tie the knot….

But spokesman Rodney Croome says once they returned to Australia, their marriages will not be recognised.

“It’s wonderful for them that they can marry so close to Australia, but of course all of those couples would prefer to marry in the country they love with their family and friends nearby,” Mr Croome said.

Radio New Zealand News reported on March 25th that the Anglican Church in New Zealand will likely be “working out” its stance on gay marriage into 2014, but that newly elected Archbishop Philip Richardson “…says he believes the state has the right to decide who can and cannot be legally married – but that doesn’t mean religions will share that view.”

ENS profiled the new Archbishop on March 23rd.

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