Queerly Beloved

Moving Beyond Marriage Equality

Abstract

On 17 April 2013, the Marriage Amendment Act passed its final reading in New Zealand’s Parliament. This legislation was a milestone for the LGBTQI+ community. There was, however, little mention of the remaining institutional, legislative and socioeconomic barriers the community faces. Marriage equality was purported to be the final frontier in rights—yet much remains to be achieved before equality is realised. While state recognition is important for the community (as this ensures basic legal protections and rights), the relationship between many members of the LGBTQI+ community with the state has been, and continues to be, fraught. These tensions become visible when considering the poverty many in the community are subject to, especially transfolk, and issues faced when engaging with the health and education systems. Despite the positive changes achieved over recent years, there is still a need for ongoing mobilisation to bring pressure to bear upon the state.