Symbolic dance to back bill

'Clear message... we want marriage equality'

ANGELA CUMING
Last updated 05:00 22/08/2012
Legalise Love Waikato
BEN CURRAN/Fairfax NZ

IN STEP: Legalise Love Waikato is holding a dance at the Riff Raff statue on Victoria St, Hamilton, on Saturday. From left are Sam Taylor, Michael Potts, Natalie Hemmings, Amy Ninnes and Stewart Putwain.

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An equal rights lobby group has planned a special "first dance" to celebrate the first reading of the marriage equality bill in Parliament, and you are all invited.

Legalise Love Waikato, a new branch of the Wellington-based lobby group, will hold the event this Saturday at the Riff Raff statue in central Hamilton.

Their invitation says the first dance symbolises the first dance of a newlywed couple.

"It would be great to see brides, grooms, celebrants, flower girls, ring-bearers - anything your hearts' desire!"

Love Waikato co-founder and Lido Cinema manager Stewart Putwain says the event will be fun first and foremost.

"We want everyone to come party with us and send a clear message to the MPs that we want marriage equality."

Mr Putwain, who is married to wife Victoria, said his group members came from a broad cross-section of the community but all were united in equal rights for all New Zealanders.

"In the first meeting we had what seemed to come up is this is no longer a gay or straight issue but a human rights issue," he said.

"I have gay friends, gay friends with families, friends who are not going to be directly affected by this bill, but they are all interested in human rights on all levels and stopping people getting married just because of who they love just seems wrong."

Everyone who supports the bill is welcome and people are asked to gather at the Riff Raff statue on Victoria St from 10.45am.

facebook.com/LegaliseLoveWaikato

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- © Fairfax NZ News

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