John Key, New Zealand Prime Minister, Not Opposed To Gay Marriage

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has broken a long silence on gay marriage and left the door open for making it legal.

In a statement sent to The Associated Press by his press secretary on Thursday, Key said he is "not personally opposed to gay marriage." He previously declined to publicly state a position.

Key added that gay marriage is not currently on the government's agenda. He did not mention President Barack Obama's announcement Wednesday that he now supports same-sex marriage.

David Shearer, the leader of New Zealand's opposition Labour Party, also expressed support for gay marriage Thursday in principle, though he said he would have to see legislation before offering support.

Gay couples in New Zealand currently can form civil unions.

Earlier on HuffPost:

Comments

[Diane Sparkes]

12:45 AM on 05/12/2012

It is a substantial step that the New Zealand PM John Key has made in commenting on same sex marriage, the L and G in LGB&T.
Unfortunately just like the United States he conveniently left out one of the other important issues, namely the rights of Transgender people, the T in LGB&T.

Although covered in a general sense by standard discrimination laws, transgender rights still have yet to be specified as a group at risk. As it stands today gender identity discrimination is still tolerated and little is being done to correct it.
Back in 2008 the New Zealand Human Rights Commission presented the government of the day with recommendations on transgender rights reform, as to this day neither political party has seen fit to put these recommendations into practice.

As in the USA; the idea that because transgender rights is something not high on the political agenda; let the do nothing mentality apply.
Argentina has recognised the failings of a system that discriminated against some of it’s at risk people and changed their legislation to correct it.

Now is the time for New Zealand and other countries to stand up and be counted.

[outloud]

04:47 PM on 05/11/2012

Chip, chip, chipping away.....just like the first blow against the Berlin Wall.

[AJayne]

02:23 PM on 05/11/2012

Feeling free is contagious.

[rforeverfree]

07:48 AM on 05/11/2012

maybe he and Obama????

[Mistinguette Grandison]

09:10 AM on 05/11/2012

being in favor of gay marriage.

[rforeverfree]

08:37 AM on 05/12/2012

no, running together in November seeing as perhaps both would be non citizens.

[Bentch]

06:29 AM on 05/11/2012

I have to wonder if this is not just a way to get some extra votes. Very convenient to come out now that the campain is about to go into full swing.

[Geopine]

11:02 PM on 05/10/2012

Stop searching for the cause of " being gay" and drop your agenda in the garbage can.
Either or not intended by nature, gays are here to stay so get yourself a cup of coffee and forget about it since gay are here to stay!

[Ole Fart]

10:09 PM on 05/10/2012

New Zealand PM??... who cares??

[a lovely day]

10:35 PM on 05/10/2012

The people of New Zealand do? And those of us Americans who are amazed by Obama's support for marriage equality and the impact it's having around the world?

[lovingthismoment50]

12:08 AM on 05/11/2012

People who stand for global equality care.

[mrgmorgan56]

10:03 PM on 05/10/2012

No one should be afraid of this scenario. Those that are, are too afraid that they will succumb to the temptations. No politics...just fear...cowards all....

[jlcolo]

09:13 PM on 05/10/2012

Wow! Prime Minister Key has just put himself in the crosshairs of Rush (who?) Limbaugh, the American(?) tea party people, and many other ultraright nitwits in this country. Like he really cares, or even needs to care. Bless him.

[mrgmorgan56]

10:04 PM on 05/10/2012

Eff Limbaugh...

[kasel1]

08:35 PM on 05/10/2012

New Zealand? That's not really a country, is it?

[kennyhoff]

09:43 PM on 05/10/2012

Seriously?

[mrgmorgan56]

10:06 PM on 05/10/2012

Only if you're not really a human...

[bzmlco]

07:09 PM on 05/10/2012

Make a great democrat flip flopper in the US

[mrgmorgan56]

10:07 PM on 05/10/2012

You're right. That way he can be a Republican or a Tea Bagger...

[nzchicago]

09:51 PM on 05/11/2012

He's is the leader of what would be akin to the Republican party. Which is about as liberal, especially on social issues, as moderate Democrats would be in the US. The far-right in NZ are confined to a couple of tiny, fringe parties, and evangelical Christians are a tiny, whacko minority. America is the most conservative industrialised country in the world!

[HouseFan]

06:13 PM on 05/10/2012

To Prime Minister John Key - You are a brave man, sir, to voice your opinion to the world even though the subject of gay marriage is not one most leaders want to be associated. I applaude you in a standing ovation as I have saluted my President, Barack Obama, for his bravery, also.

[nanzbh]

05:29 PM on 05/10/2012

Now look what Obama went and started.........

[Mistinguette Grandison]

09:18 AM on 05/11/2012

lol. And it's a good thing.

[Carbon Forteetoo]

05:13 PM on 05/10/2012

However, Orc-Hobbit marriage is right out!

[littlenun48]

03:50 PM on 05/10/2012

His making it clear that he supports same-sex marriage seals my vote for him.