New Zealand politician calls trans surgery plans ‘nutty’
Plans for free transition healthcare for trans people in New Zealand have been called “nutty” by Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.
Members of the opposition Labour Party have been promoting the policy, which was proposed by their youth wing.
However, most politicians are opposed to the idea of free, publicly funded access to hormones and surgery for trans people.
Labour leader Andrew Little said: “I’m quite happy with my gender. That’s a complex issue and not an issue I’d make a policy up on on the hoof.”
Currently, New Zealand funds four surgeries every two years, and the health minister says this is sufficient.
Mr Coleman, of the governing New Zealand National Party, said increasing funding would be a “nutty idea”.
“I think [the Labour Party] are totally out to lunch and it show’s you why these people will be unelectable for a very long time.”
The policy was voted through at several regional Labour conferences, but Labour MP Stuart Nash said he voted against it. He said: “To be honest, never once has anyone ever said they’re not going to vote for Labour because we’re not funding gender reassignment surgery.
“I don’t think it’s an issue that’s important to the people of New Zealand.”
New Zealand armed forces held their first same-sex marriages in March this year.
A radio station in New Zealand was criticised for having two straight men get legally married in exchange for rugby tickets.
