Same-Sex Marriage Views

People's Alliance-National Federation Party Coalition asked Party leaders Rabuka and Prasad evasive on issue

Will a Sit-veii Rabu-ka-Biman Prasad coalition Government al-low same-sex marriage in Fiji? Both leaden evaded the question at their Korovuto College meeting in Nadi on Wednesday night. This question was posed to the twc lenders of The People's Alliance and National Federation Party dur lug a talanoa session.

However, neither leaders gave a definite answer on what their coalition would decide regarding samesex marriage in Fiji. They did not give a yes or no answer when the question was posed from the floor.

About 125 people gathered at Korovuto College to listen and at some interesting questions were asked. Sevanaia Naua said: “It has been happening around the world about alternative family rights, gay rights. Are you going to support gay marriage in Fiji?

Both party leaders responded that they would respect the rights of every citizen.

Their response led Mr Naua to then ask: “That means you’re saying you will support gay rights. I am also standing for the people who are asking you this question and who are willing to vote for you if you support their rights.

Mr Rabuka answered and said, ‘Marriage in Fiji is governed by the Marriage Act’.The act says a union between a male and a female, a man and a woman. Until that changes, it is up to the Government to change it.

He said it depended on the political parties to allow members to have a vote on moral issues.

“When parties will have to vote on the moral issue and allow the people to be voted in to have a conscience vote,” he said.

The NFP leader said: “As far as we are concerned, the rights of every citizen must be respected.”

Mr Naua interjected and asked if they will support gay marriage which Mr Prasad replied and said they have ‘not been allowed’ discussion on ‘sensitive issues’.

However, he did not say whether his party had discussed it and whether his party supported samesex marriage or whether they were against it. When asked again if NFP supported same-sex marriage, Mr Prasad said Government had not allowed discussion on s sensitive issue for 15 years.