Monday 18 March 2013

Times: Same-sex marriage bill passes vote

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130313/world/same-sex-marriage-bill-passes-vote.461226
Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 11:58 by PA

New Zealand politicians have again voted overwhelmingly in favour of a Bill allowing same-sex marriage, virtually assuring its passage into law in the coming weeks.

They supported the Bill by 77 votes to 44 in the second of three votes that must be taken before a Bill can become law. The third vote is likely to be little more than a formality.

More than 200 people crammed into the Wellington Parliament's public gallery to watch politicians debate the Bill before they voted at about 10.15pm.

The mostly young crowd clapped and cheered for politicians who spoke in support of the Bill while sitting in silence for many who spoke in opposition.

New Zealand already has same-sex civil union laws which confer many legal rights to gay couples.

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