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Amy Brooke
A regular contributor to the UK/Australian Spectator, and to the Australian Quadrant.
The recent Auckland Rainbow Pride Parade was well attended. Have we really reached the stage where drag queens can lampoon women without it being considered offensive? Are concerned parents supposed to not mind that these exhibitionists are invited to read to children in libraries? Is this mockery of women really just all ‘good fun’?
Many New Zealanders wondered what David Seymour and Chris Bishop were doing leading contingents from the ACT and National parties, along with a rainbow-decorated police car spearheading the New Zealand Police, all in support of this pride parade. Police officers hoisted the Progress Pride flag and were joined by representatives from Fonterra, Foodstuffs, Woolworths, the Burnett Foundation, fire and emergency services and even Scouts Aotearoa.
Surely it seems reasonable to ask what is happening to us when we publicly celebrate sexual behaviour contrary to the union between a man and a woman.
If a similar parade were held to celebrate the Christian beliefs underpinning our society, would police, MPs and these firms be so keen to march in support of our heritage?
For some obscure reason, physical relationships between members of the same sex that, in many countries, are frowned upon or even punished, have been media-promoted in the West and apparently now appear to be regarded as a source of great pride. No explanation is given. In fact, those who ask how such a situation could arise in a country founded upon and underpinned by Christian values are immediately accused of homophobia or promoting hate speech. Such pejorative accusations are always a useful weapon for intimidating those who dare raise concerns.
One need only look back 130 years to the well-publicised trial and imprisonment of Irish playwright, novelist, poet, and wit, Oscar Wilde, to recall that it wasn't so long ago when those caught engaging in a homosexual act were treated cruelly. So today, very probably, a strong majority throughout the West, mindful of the lack of tolerance long shown towards those with same sex attraction are rightly anxious to ensure this cruelty never happens again.
In Japan, homosexual marriage is banned. Same sex acts are illegal in more than 60 countries with penalties ranging from imprisonment to death. Extending tolerance to those adults whose consensual practices we may not approve of is one thing but is it possible that, with marches and parades through towns and cities, we have gone past minding our own business to promoting what is now effectively presented as somehow superior?
Consider the promotion of homosexual behaviour in schools; for example, School Pride Week in June with banners flown and specific activities involved. It masquerades of course, as promoting diversity (that weasel word so usefully employed by those attacking our traditional values). It is no wonder that many parents choose to keep their children at home during this particular week.
The tolerance New Zealanders have long extended towards same-sex relationships is not reciprocated when questions are raised regarding the inordinate promotion of these lifestyles. The sheer venom is deeply concerning as is the fact that our parliament in 2022, passed the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act, which bans professional or sustained efforts to change or suppress a young person’s sexual orientation—including same-sex attraction—particularly when directed at those under 18.
Same-sex attractions or crushes are common and often temporary during early adolescence. For example, it's not unusual for girls to develop crushes on other girls or boys to admire sporting heroes of the same sex. In most cases these resolve naturally after adolescence, though a minority do persist into adulthood. Concerns have been expressed that the Act restricts access to counselling for young people who want help exploring or addressing unwanted same sex attractions. Effectively, the law prohibits practices intended to change or suppress sexual orientation leaving one to wonder why.
Why the excessive pride? The family – father, mother and child – is the most important nucleus of any society. Across the world, outside of Africa, fertility is in rapid decline. The future for many countries with ageing populations and a rapidly declining birth rate is serious. Small wonder, when according to the WHO, some 73 million unborn children are aborted annually: 200,000 a day. Yet a declining population has to support an ever-heavier burden of retirees with tax rates rising and hope for the future falling. Even defence, one of the three main duties of government is imperilled if the army cannot meet its recruitment targets.
Marriage is the context in which people have children and once the population slips below a fertility rate it can reach a point of no return.
We should feel compassion for those who have chosen a path nature undoubtedly did not intend for the continuation of the human race. But what possesses us to promote this now openly flamboyant movement, sowing confusion and propagandising our young?
Some argue that sexual permissiveness is helping to bring about the disintegration of society. Hence the concern about what is happening to this country, when we centre stage occasions like the pride parade, drag queens in libraries and our Ministry of Education celebrating these activities in our schools.
Is this really what our MPs, let alone police contingent and other major organisations really support?
