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New Zealand’s landmark decision to vote in favor of same-sex marriage garnered a Glee-esque response when audience members in the public gallery (and some members of Parliament) broke into a sing-a-long of the Maori love song “Pokarekare Ana” as the law was being read into the record. New Zealand is the 13th country to legalize gay marriage and the first nation in the Asia-Pacific region. More: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/04/19/10-good-things-that-happened-this-
week/#ixzz2R1ODxl4E]
Watch, it's a Class Act:

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As the votes are announced in the New Zealand Parliament that affirm the Definition of Marriage Amendment (allowing equal marriage rights for the gay community), spectators in the gallery break into a Maori love song which most of the Members of Parliament then join in with. Quite touching.

For my American chums who want to know more about the song being sung: "Pokarekare ana." Unofficially it is New Zealand's second national anthem. It is believed to have been communally written by Maori soldiers in training camp during World War I. Here is a translation.

Stormy are the waters on restless Waiapu
If you cross them, girl, they will be calmed

Oh girl, come back to me, my heart is dying of love for you.

I have written you a letter, and enclosed with it my ring,
So your people can see how troubled I am

Oh girl, come back to me, my heart is dying of love for you.

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But that we should grow as classy...

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French lawmakers approve same-sex marriage bill

French lawmakers voted to legalize same-sex marriage Tuesday, despite vocal protests from some conservatives opposed to the step.

The nation's lower house approved a marriage bill, which will also give same-sex couples the right to adopt, in a 331-to-225 final vote.

They cast their votes after impassioned speeches by lawmakers for and against the legislation.

President Francois Hollande, who pledged his support for same-sex marriage on the campaign trail last year, will have to sign the bill before it becomes law.

Once the measure is enacted, France will be the ninth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage.

In France, the contentious debate over the same-sex marriage bill has coincided with a spike in reported incidents of homophobic abuse, the gay rights group SOS Homophobie told BFM-TV last week.

A gay bar in Lille was targeted Wednesday night by four men who appeared to belong to a far-right group, Interior Minister Manuel Valls said Thursday, in a statement condemning the attack. http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/23/world/europe/france-same-sex-vote/index.
html?hpt=hp_t3

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Gay Marriage Resolution Advances in Nevada

CARSON CITY, Nev. A controversial bill repealing a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage passed the Nevada Senate Monday in a near party line vote.

Senate Joint Resolution 13 repeals the constitutional amendment enacted by voters in 2002.

After a long debate, the resolution was approved on a 12-9 vote. Senator Ben Kieckhfer was the lone Republican to vote in favor of passing the resolution.

SJR 13 is now on its way to the Assembly. If passed by lawmakers this year and in 2015, it would go to voters in 2016 who will ultimately make the final decision. More at http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/Gay-Marriage-Resolution-Advances-
in-Nevada-204223941.html

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