New Government urged to keep its human rights and Te Tiriti promises

This study clearly shows homophobia in sport needs to be taken much more seriously. Sanders, who also played semi-professionally in Scotland, didn't feel safe coming out until he retired from rugby in I used to hear the word 'fag' all the time. It sent a strong message that coming out was not an option. It was very stifling. Homophobic language rather than physical violence is the most common form of discrimination, according to the Kiwis who took part in the Out on the Fields study.

Of those who had personally been targeted with homophobia, results show Canadian gay, bisexual and lesbian people were most likely to report being physically assaulted 21 per cent , followed by the UK 20 per cent. Those in New Zealand were the least likely to have encountered violence 12 per cent.

Seventy-eight per cent of Kiwi participants also said they had witnessed or experienced homophobia in sport and just over three-quarters believed an openly gay, lesbian or bisexual person would not be safe as a spectator at a sporting event. The problem is nowhere near as rife for gay females in sport, insists former New Zealand women's football international Rebecca O'Neill.

The year-old Aucklander is in a long-term relationship and has two kids. She still plays football at premier level for Western Springs.

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O'Neill insists she has never had a problem with being open about her sexuality as a player but is more guarded now she is coaching. Rainbow Youth - an Auckland organisation that provides support, information and advocacy for young gay people - believes discrimination has no place in New Zealand sport. In February, the NZDF topped a new global index, ranking armed forces for inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexuals and transgender soldiers.


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Uniformed members have also marched in the Auckland Pride Parade and, in , the Defence Force created OverWatch, a group to support its gay staff. Back in his hometown of Thames, rower Manson is training hard to make the Olympics in Rio next year. He says since coming out in December he has had nothing but support from colleagues, friends and the public.

They just use certain language and make jokes about gay people without realising it could be offensive. Labour MP Louisa Wall is calling for New Zealand sporting codes to join their Aussie counterparts and make a commitment to rid their sports of homophobia. In a world first, last year all four Australian football codes as well as Cricket Australia agreed to introduce policies to end discrimination. Wall - a former representative netball and rugby union player who is openly gay and was behind the gay marriage bill - believes New Zealand should follow suit.

They should not rely on the Government. World Rugby and International Gay Rugby recently signed a historic agreement to collaborate on the continued promotion of equality and inclusivity in rugby.


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Nick Brown, general manager, public affairs at New Zealand Rugby, says it supports that agreement and promotes rugby as a game to be played and enjoyed by all New Zealanders regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation. Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol says homophobic discrimination is not widespread among New Zealand players. Potgieter later apologised publicly. The gay community is very visible in New Zealand. Most cities have some form of gay scene. There are still isolated cases of homophobia and the situation for gay people is easier in bigger cities than more rural populations.

A map of how representative electorate MPs voted in the third bill reading demonstrates how tolerance shifts between city and country.

Nevertheless, LGBT people in New Zealand can feel confident that their rights are protected and it is still streets ahead of most other countries, including Australia. These people were treated as part of the community. In the s, New Zealand was a world leader for sex reassignment surgery which is legal as it had an open attitude and low costs; however, in the only specialist in the country resigned, leaving a long waiting list.

In the government pledged to reduce the year waiting list , hailed as a big step forward. Trans people do still face discrimination in New Zealand and many believe the Human Rights Act needs to more explicitly legally protect them.


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There is ongoing action to try and improve the situation. However, what travellers can be assured of here is that they can be themselves, enjoy all their usual activities and take advantage of the positive attitude towards LGBT rights in New Zealand.

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There is no need to self-censor or worry about perceptions; gay visitors can enjoy all that this country has to offer in freedom. Generally, New Zealand will never be a place for lots of public displays of affection, something which both gay and straight travellers should be aware of. These are great places to visit if you want to get as close to nature as possible, but note that attitudes here could be more conservative than in the big cities and take this into account when planning a trip.

Auckland has established itself in recent years and now has a thriving gay scene.

Coming out of the sports closet

This is where travellers who like a night out are most likely to find something to suit them. Lovers of the outdoors will find endless joy here. From Bay of Islands for water sports and shore to Milford Sound for epic fjords and cliffs. There are vineyards, volcanoes and glow-worm caves, glaciers and of course Hobbiton if you know, you know! It should be noted, there was one case in the media 5 years ago where a small guesthouse refused to let a lesbian couple sleep together , but this is such a rare anomaly that you should not be concerned about it.

LGBT in New Zealand

One-off cases like this seem to continue world-wide, even in other very gay-friendly countries. Besides, the media uproar that followed shows just how gay-friendly New Zealand really is…. Extreme sports, hiking and skiing for outdoorsy types; vineyard tours and tastings for the sophisticates; museums and galleries for sightseers.