Tag: new zealand gay rights

New Zealand’s first Olympic diver in 37 years is proudly gay

Anton Down-Jenkins will go to the Olympics as an out-and-proud representative of LGBTQ athletes. Anton Down-Jenkins made some history in May by becoming the first diver from New Zealand to qualify for the Olympics since 1984. And he has done it while being out and proud to identify as LGBTQ. “I never felt the need… Read more »

Reduction in HIV diagnoses in New Zealand

There has been a significant reduction in the number of people diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand over the past year. In 2017, 197 people were diagnosed – a decrease from the 243 reported in 2016, figures released today by the AIDS Epidemiology Group, University of Otago, show. It is the first time there has… Read more »

New Zealand passes law to clear historical gay sex convictions

The New Zealand parliament on Tuesday night unanimously passed a bill that is expected to allow about 1,000 men to apply to have past convictions for homosexual activity removed from their criminal records. Homosexuality was decriminalized in New Zealand in 1986, but men who were convicted before that date still have the convictions on their… Read more »

Lesbian couple become first to get married in Pride Parade in New Zealand

A lesbian couple in New Zealand has become the first same-sex couple known to tie the knot during a Pride parade in the country. Victoria Envy, 28, and Sinead O’Connell, 25, married each other on a float that was part of the parade on Saturday evening. ? The couple first met at the same Pride… Read more »

Jacinda Ardern becomes first New Zealand PM to march in gay pride parade

Prime minister joined a crowd of 25,000 in Auckland and called for more support for LGBTI people with mental health problems Jacinda Ardern has become the first New Zealand prime minister to walk in the country’s gay pride parade. More than 25,000 people watched the parade in Auckland on Saturday night, cheering as the prime… Read more »

New Zealand to introduce PrEP for less than two dollars a month

New Zealand has announced that it will publicly fund PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) for just $1.20 a month for a prescription. The country is one of a few that have made the decision to make the HIV prevention medication available at a reduced price. ? From March 1st, the treatment will be rolled out to those… Read more »

New Zealand’s Parliament unanimously passes apology for anti-LGBT laws

New Zealand MPs unanimously passed a motion of apology for the country’s historical anti-LGBT laws. The country’s Justice Minister Amy Adams had moved a motion to apologise to those convicted under anti-gay laws, that were scrapped in 1986. The motion was passed this morning unanimously, with all of the MPs present voting in favour. Ms Adams said:… Read more »

New Zealand to quash historical gay sex convictions

New Zealand has said it will move to quash historical convictions for consensual sex between men. Justice Minister Amy Adams said an application process will be introduced and cases will be judged individually. In 1986 when the Homosexual Law Reform Act was passed, sex between men above 16 years old was decriminalised. But convictions for… Read more »

Grindr documentary to feature at Cannes

A documentary about use of gay dating app, Grindr, in New Zealand is to feature at the Cannes Film Festival. The prestigious event – that often screens work by some of the world’s greatest film makers – will show the eight minute feature created by students, Annabelle Dick and Kyan Krumdieck. “We were trying to… Read more »

Chinese Expat Pens A Personal Story

Auckland, New Zealand – a Chinese expat, Dave Yan, who possesses a personal story of dedication, perseverance and ingenuity, released a biographical fiction novel, Over A Year, to celebrate being granted his New Zealand residency. Set in Auckland, the story surrounds the life of an international student, Dave, for the time period of over a… Read more »

New Zealand government to recognise ‘gender diverse’ people as well as male and female

The New Zealand government is changing the way it records gender – allowing people to identify as “gender diverse”. The government’s official data collection body Statistics NZ announced the change, which will be the new standard across government agencies. It explained: “‘Gender diverse’ will join ‘male’ and ‘female’ categories in a new gender-identity classification released… Read more »