They need the input of a male and a female. If the government tries to bring in legislation for homosexual marriage or the adoption of children, we will create quite a campaign . The Justice Ministry received 3,546 responses representing the views of 8,464 organizations and individuals, with religious groups making up the bulk of groups that responded. Many asserted that the government was wrong to decriminalize homosexuality when the 1986 Homosexual Law Reform Bill was passed. The report summarizing responses was completed in July but has only recently been released.
Many respondents consider marriage a moral and religious institution, rather than a secular one.
Others view the current refusal to allow same-sex marriage and subsequent legal protections as a breach of human rights. Under the 1993 Human Rights Act , discrimination on the grounds of homosexuality and religion is prohibited. The act, however, does not supersede other legislation. It defines homosexuality, but not religion. Clark, who said she had not read the submissions, dismissed the comments as not reflective of public opinion.