Coddington on same-sex marriage

Writing in the Herald on Sunday, former ACT MP Deborah Coddington makes a rare (for an ACToid) principled defence of a right other than the right of the rich not to pay taxes, and comes out in support of same-sex marriage:

Imagine if our law forbade marriage between Maori and Pakeha, tossing them instead a compromise - civil unions? Finlayson, who prides himself on his Treaty work, would swiftly change the law, with overwhelming Kiwi support.

So why do we continue to hold the same moral discrimination against gays?

Its a good question. And the answer basically comes down to cowardice on the part of our politicians. Everyone knows that the current law is discriminatory and morally untenable. But after prostitution, civil unions and banning child beating, they don't want to annoy the religious right (and provoke more nastiness) by amending it. And so by being vicious and creating fear, the bigots get a veto on equality and fundamental human rights.