Friday 20 August 2004

Christians for Civil Unions Will Attend Human Rights Rally

Christians for Civil Unions will join other groups at the Rally for Human Rights preceding the Destiny Church march taking place next Monday (August 23) at Parliament, says spokesperson Rev Dr Margaret Mayman. The Rally for Human Rights will begin at 11:30 am, an hour before the Destiny event.

“While we considered staying away from what appears will be an aggressive and divisive march, we believe it is important to stand as a group of Christians who remember the basis of the Gospel, which is love for all people,” says Dr Mayman.

Christians for Civil Unions is a nation-wide network of Christians from mainstream denominations including Presbyterians, Anglicans, Catholics, Baptists, and Methodists. The network formed to counter fundamentalist Christian opposition to the Civil Union legislation and to present an alternative Christian voice in the public conversation about legal protection and recognition for same-sex and de facto couples.

“We want the New Zealand public to realise that Destiny is not a representative Christian voice”, says Dr Mayman. “Civil Union legislation is an issue of social justice which should transcend theological differences. It will provide legal protection and social support for many New Zealand families that are currently vulnerable.”

Christians for Civil Unions is concerned that while Destiny’s rhetoric is aimed at the government, it is hurtful and damaging to many New Zealanders who are gay or lesbian, or who have gay and lesbian family members.

“We will be at parliament as a peaceful presence, following in the footsteps of our founder Jesus Christ, and of Christian justice seekers who have gone before us like Rev Dr Martin Luther King Junior,” says Margaret Mayman.

A representative of Christians for Civil Unions will also attend at the Campaign for Civil Unions information briefing for media after the rally at St Andrew’s on The Terrace (30 The Terrace). The media briefing will start at 2.00pm.

For more information about Christians for Civil Unions, people can visit www.standrews.org.nz

ENDS

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