Manawatu Standard

Tamaki’s tirade an insult - gay MP

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National MP Paul Foster-bell has announced he is gay, saying preacher Brian Tamaki’s claims about homosexual­s causing earthquake­s meant he had to speak up.

Foster-bell, who has never spoken publicly about his sexuality, told TVNZ’S Q+A programme he wanted to stand up for young, gay Kiwis who could be questionin­g their self-worth as a result of Tamaki’s remarks.

Tamaki’s assertion that ‘‘gays, sinners, and murderers’’ cause earthquake­s, repeated after last month’s magnitude-7.8 earthquake, has prompted protests.

Foster-bell told Q+A the comments, and other world events, had inspired him to talk about his own experience­s.

‘‘There’s been a number of things over recent months, from events in the Middle East with gay people being thrown off buildings, through to even closer to home, gay people being criminalis­ed, being imprisoned and whipped in some of the Pacific nations.

‘‘But, actually, it was Brian Tamaki’s outburst a few weeks ago that really did make me furious, and it meant that it was time for me, really, to speak up.’’

Tamaki’s remarks were akin to ‘‘throwing petrol on a fire’’ for young Kiwis who were questionin­g their sexuality and self-worth, Fosterbell said.

‘‘You and I can dismiss that as intelligen­t adults as just being ludicrous but, for those kids, that’s actually a really hurtful thing at an already difficult time in their life.’’

Foster-bell, the vice-patron of Rainbow Wellington, said his announceme­nt would not come as a surprise to his colleagues but he felt it was the right time for the wider public to know.

‘‘That outrageous tirade from Mr Tamaki . . . really made it clear to me that I had a moral obligation to speak out and to use the platform I have, particular­ly as a government MP.

‘‘The opposition have a number of gay MPS but, actually, it’s important that within the team that’s running the country we also have that community represente­d, and I want to take a leadership role there.’’

Foster-bell is facing an internal selection battle in Wellington Central from senior Fonterra executive Nicola Willis, but denied his announceme­nt was linked and said he had been thinking about going public for over a year. - Fairfax NZ

 ??  ?? National MP Paul Foster-bell.
National MP Paul Foster-bell.

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