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Sexual Orientation - Policy Summary

Metiria Turei, MP

24 Aug 2005
Subjects: Justice, Rainbow Issues

Spokesperson: 
Metiria Turei MP
Read the Sexual Orientation Policy

Key Principles

  • celebration of diversity
  • elimination of legislative barriers to full participation in society
  • elimination of institutional discrimination
  • education in school, workplace and the community about sexual orientation
  • research into issues confronting the "rainbow" communities
  • holistic health services accessible to all

"Rainbow" is used here as an inclusive term to describe any person (or community) who is not predominantly heterosexual, or has an identity that is not their assigned gender role, or anyone questioning their gender or sexuality, or experiencing same sex love or attraction.

Specific Policies

  • Make the government comply fully with the Human Rights Act 1993.
  • Develop workplace programmes in the public and private sector to eliminate prejudice, discrimination and harassment.
  • Extend all legal partnership arrangements and rights to same-sex couples.
  • Support equal criteria for both "rainbow" and heterosexual couples in their assessment for suitability and eligibility for parenting.
  • Encourage the development of adequately resourced community centres, outreach programmes and events and the creative self-expression of people with "rainbow" identities through drama and literature and the arts.
  • Support a holistic approach to health and elimination of discrimination within the health services.
  • Support the development of specific programmes, including professional education, in partnership with "rainbow" communities, in health, education, police, the courts, penal institutions, and the military.
  • Create safe and supportive educational environments.
  • Support a partnership with schools and "rainbow" youth organisations to reduce the unacceptably high level of suicide and drug abuse among youth.
  • Encourage research to help identify discriminatory workplace and institutional practices; support participatory research into individual life experience to identify ways to encourage "rainbow" communities' physical and mental health.