New Zealand Parliament recognises contributions of LGBT community
The New Zealand Parliament has dedicated one of its select committee rooms, renamed “The Rainbow Room” to the LGBT community’s contributions to society.
All members of all parties supported the designation of Select Committee Room 11 of Parliament House as the Rainbow Room.
The Speaker, Hon Margaret Wilson, said:
“It is appropriate that it is with select committee rooms that we recognise all members of our society and the paths they have taken to full citizenship with equal rights.”
She added that all the rooms “tell the story of honest and full representation in the New Zealand Parliament.”
Several rooms in Parliament House have been designated to minority and underrepresented groups in the past.
The Maori Affairs Committee Room, known as Maui Tikitiki-a-Taranga, was dedicated in 1995.
The Suffrage Room was dedicated in 2005, recognising the achievement of women in obtaining the vote in the late nineteenth century.
The Pacific Room was dedicated in 2002, to mark the contribution of Pacific peoples to New Zealand government and society, whilst the dedication of the Asia Room earlier this year marked similar achievements from the Asian community.
