That's always been Bill English's problem - he's the National leader most loved by people who will never in a million years vote for National. Although I didn't see much love for him in '02!
But if that closeted gay MP is actively campaigning against, say, the CUB, or is just voting against it...
I'd have to disagree. I know a lot of gay people who didn't support the CUB. (Although admittedly none who actively opposed it). Indeed, the identification between gay rights and civil unions is IMO tenuous at best... I know we've already had this discussion, and I'm not trying to restart it, I'm just pointing out that homosexuality and support for the bill aren't incompatible. A good example is Lockwood Smith, who is only semi in the closet, but since his positions on issues, while dubious, have nothing to do with homosexuality, outing him just isn't much of an issue (not to mention it would be very hypocritical of Labour).
I think the only situation where outing a closeted MP would be relevant would be if they were advocating laws which would directly effect their rights as they currently practice them - for instance, an MP saying that gays should not be able to stand for parliament, or hold public office, or whatever. Thankfully even the most paleolithic of our MPs, such as a certain man whose name rhymes with Clob Barkson, aren't proposing that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
No Mr Brash, I expect you to die.
Date: 2006-09-17 06:42 am (UTC)That's always been Bill English's problem - he's the National leader most loved by people who will never in a million years vote for National. Although I didn't see much love for him in '02!
But if that closeted gay MP is actively campaigning against, say, the CUB, or is just voting against it...
I'd have to disagree. I know a lot of gay people who didn't support the CUB. (Although admittedly none who actively opposed it). Indeed, the identification between gay rights and civil unions is IMO tenuous at best... I know we've already had this discussion, and I'm not trying to restart it, I'm just pointing out that homosexuality and support for the bill aren't incompatible. A good example is Lockwood Smith, who is only semi in the closet, but since his positions on issues, while dubious, have nothing to do with homosexuality, outing him just isn't much of an issue (not to mention it would be very hypocritical of Labour).
I think the only situation where outing a closeted MP would be relevant would be if they were advocating laws which would directly effect their rights as they currently practice them - for instance, an MP saying that gays should not be able to stand for parliament, or hold public office, or whatever. Thankfully even the most paleolithic of our MPs, such as a certain man whose name rhymes with Clob Barkson, aren't proposing that.