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Comparison and Analysis of Different News Report on Same-Sex Marriage Legalization in New Zealand

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Comparison and Analysis of Different News Report on Same-Sex Marriage Legalization in New Zealand
GOVT 6156 Governance and Civil Society Student Name: Yip Tsz Kit UID: 430054929 Assignment 3: Content Analysis Research Report 1. Introduction 1.1 Topic: Same Sex Marriage Homosexuality and lesbian and gay civil rights was the dominated by negativity in Western societies before the 1990s (Loftus, 2001). In Australia, bias and discrimination against gay has progressively decreased over time (Kelly, 2001). Issues related to gay and lesbian rights have been increasingly prominent. Despite the receding negative attitudes towards gay and lesbian minority, according to scholars, such tolerance does not seem to extend to attitudes towards same-sex marriage (Edward, 2007). 1.2 Background On 17 April 2013, New Zealand House of Representatives has voted to make same-sex marriage legal. The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment bill was passed at the Third Reading stage by a majority vote of 77 to 44. The Society for Promotion of Community Standards Inc. (‘SPCS”) added a definition of “marriage” in its constitution seeking to redefine marriage to include same-sex

couples. The bill also asserts in its Explanatory Note that the Principal Act- the Marriage Act 1955- discriminates against “gay” couples. (Scoop, 2013). The previous Constitution was adopted by New Zealand in 1984. It was taken from Australian legislation, The Marriage Legislation Amendment Act 1984, without amendments and used the same words to define “marriage” (Scoop, 2013). Given that the New Zealand marriage law was originated from its neighbor and their proximity and close interrelationship, the legalization of same-sex marriage on 17th April could have significant influence on Australia, where right to marriage has not been granted to same-sex couples. In Sep 19, 2012, the Lower House of Australia votes down same-sex marriage bill. The House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted against legislation that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry (ABC News, 2012). 42 MPs supported the private
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