NEW ZEALAND: MP Stuns Parliament With Revelation That Her Uncle Had Murdered A Gay Man [VIDEO]

The New Zealand Herald reports:

Green MP Marama Davidson used a harrowing example of the impact on her family of homophobia, remembering a young gay man who was killed by Davidson’s uncle in the 1980s. Her voice breaking, Marama spoke of the man during Parliament’s formal apology to the men convicted for consensual acts at a time homosexuality was illegal.

“I want to acknowledge in particular a young man who was murdered for being gay when I was a young girl. I think about what he lost in his life. Maybe he might have chosen to be a father with a lover, with a husband. Maybe he might have been an amazing uncle. Maybe he might have been a grandfather. Who knows, because he lost his life. I send my love to his family because the person who stole his life was my family.”

According to Davidson, her uncle claimed the man had propositioned him and responded by punching him, causing his victim to fall into the Wellington harbor, where he drowned. Her uncle was convicted of manslaughter and was himself later murdered during a prison fight.

The bill of apology was approved unanimously on its first reading. When it becomes final, about 1000 men convicted under colonial-era anti-gay laws will be eligible to apply for pardons. The families of men who are no longer living may apply on their behalf.