GAYS WIN PROTECTION OF LAW [Dominion, July 29 1993, Ruth Laugesen]

   Homosexuals, disabled people and psychiatric patients among others,
have won protection from discrimination in jobs, housing, education and
the provision of goods and services.

   Yesterday, after an emotional parliamentry wrangle which began late
last year, Associate Health Minister Katherine O'Regan succeeded in
convincing a large majority of her colleagues to support the change in a
conscience vote [NB a conscience vote is one in which MPs are freed of
party ties, and able to vote according to their personal beliefs].

   The vote was 48 for and 26 against including sexual orientation as one
of the grounds on which discrimination would no longer be allowed.

   Another clause preventing discrimination on the grounds of presence in
the body of disease-causing organisms (such as HIV) was passed without the
need for a full count.

   The level of support for Mrs O'Regan's changes was stronger than first
espected.

   A series of moderating amendments proposed by her opponents all failed
to win any ground, including an amendment by Geoff Braybrooke seeking
exemptions for people with strong religious beliefs.

   Mrs O'Regan yesterday expressed reflief after the passing of the sexual
orientation clauses.

   "It's totally appropriate for public health reasons and obviously of
course on human rights grounds as well. I was surprised [by the size of
the majority] and I was very pleased indeed.
   "People will always hold prejudices, but I think what is important is
that people who are being discriminated against know that they have a legal
backstop now to end that discrimination that may be placed on them 
personally."

   Police Minister John Banks thanked the ordinary "mum and dad" New
Zealanders who had supported him in his campaign against the clauses.

   "Another chapter in the long battle for standards and values and the 
decent society has been fought and lost in Parliament"

   The amendments were made to the Human Rights Bill, which was already
before the House.

   The bill, which was passed as a whole last night, brought together all
existing laws against discrimination and added new grounds for protection
in the areas of disability, age, political opinion, employment status and
family status.

   The ban on discrimination against the disabled is a milestone for 
disabled support organisations, who have been lobbying for the changes
for some years.

   Yesterday's vote was an indicator of changing times. Many MPs who voted
against the 1986 Homosexual Law Reform Act [NB which decriminalised all
homosexual activity to the same point as heterosexual activity, save in
the military] had by last night changed sides. [8 names given].

   The Homosexual Law Reform Act was passed by a margin of only five votes,
with a clause banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation
dropped because of strong opposition.

   {END STORY}

BAN ON DISCRIMINATION

   The grounds on which it is now illegal to discriminate against people
are;
   gender; marital status; religious belief; ethical belief; colour; race;
sexual orientation; presence in the body of organisms capable of causing
illness; ethnic or national origins; disability or impairment; physical
illness; psychiatric illness; intellectual or psychological disability or
impairment; age; political opinion; employment status, including being
unemployed or a beneficiary; family status, which includes being responsible
for childcare.

   Discrimination is prevented in employment, access to places and
facilities, the provision of goods and services, housing and education.

   Some exceptions apply to employment, for example where disability means a
person is unable to carry out their work, or political opinion in relation
to national security work, or work of a political nature [NB. One assumes
that this also includes cases of medical danger to others, and exemptions
for religious occupations].
   
   {END STORY}

Related storys later include voting records (48 for, 26 against, 22 unable
or abstaining from vote), Defence Force regulation changes (including a
probable exemption to allow discrimination against HIV and other carriers
in frontline duty, where blood transfer may be required), and Police
acceptance of the new legislation.

-- 
 Tony Quirke,         "Make a promise take a vow
 Wellington,          "And trust your feelings, it's easy now
 New Zealand.         "Understand the voice within
(email for phone no.) "And feel the changes already beginning" - MB