A strong challenge was issued last night for the wider glbti communities to all stand up for the rights of youth, transgender people and those struggling with being glbti in the Pacific Islands. Tatryanna Eden-Lacroix Auckland City last evening hosted 150 invited guests to a civic acknowledgement of the passing of contentious but liberating Homosexual Law Reform Bill exactly 30 years ago. Featured speakers included deputy mayor Penny Hulse, representatives of the Auckland Gay Task force from the days of the campaign for law reform, Bruce Kilmister and Peter Wall (now of Australia), the bill's parliamentary sponsor Fran Wilde, Marriage Equality legislation sponsor Louisa Wall MP, Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye and Tatryanna Eden-Lacroix representing glbti youth. La Croix, a transgender university student who later co-performed two traditional Pacific Island dances, reflected on the changes brought about by Homosexual Law Reform three decades ago, saying "how beautiful is love when it is celebrated with no barriers." She noted that for many young people "breaking away from social norms can be social suicide" and noted work was still being done "fighting for change" in many of the Pacific Island nations. She urged those present to help stand up for the rights of transgender people and those in the Pacific Islands. "I challenge those who have benefited so far to stand up for people like me," she said. Many of the other speakers also noted the work still to be done for others in the broader glbti communities, particularly glbti youth. with MPs Louisa Wall and Nikki Kaye both saying much more needs to be done to improve the well-being and safety of glbti youth in the nation's schools.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 10th July 2016 - 7:59pm