Make gay rights activists knights and dames - commissioner

  • 29/07/2016
Louisa Wall (Getty)
Louisa Wall (Getty)

Human Rights Commissioner Richard Tankersley wants Kiwis who fought to legalise homosexuality honoured with damehoods and knighthoods.

Hundreds of activists endured years of abuse and hatred in the 1980s, while the Homosexual Law Reform Bill was making its way through Parliament.

Mr Tankersley says they need recognition when the Government considers its next round of investitures.

"Try and have a look at those nominations in the context of realisation of human rights for New Zealanders, not just services to the gay community."

He's urging communities to nominate those who led the campaign.

"There were national leaders that liaised on a very regular basis with Fran [Wilde] and Trevor Mallard, and with the people that put through other legislation, and it's up to the community to say to the Government 'these are the people'."

The 1986 Homosexual Law Reform Act legalised consensual sex between men. It was never illegal for women in New Zealand to have same-sex relationships.

Gay marriage was legalised in 2013 in a conscience vote in Parliament on a Bill introduced by Labour MP Louisa Wall.

All MPs from the Greens, Mana, Maori Party, ACT and United Future voted in favour, as did a majority of Labour MPs. Most National MPs voted against it, as did all New Zealand First MPs.

It passed 77-44.

Newshub.