Photo: RNZNew Zealand now holds the title of the most rainbow Parliament in the world, going by the percentage of LGBTQ MPs. Photo: WikipediaBy comparison, the United Kingdom - the former title holder - has 45 openly gay members in its 650-member House of Commons, or 7%. When Tim Barnett was elected to Parliament in 1996, he was the only openly gay MP and just the third in the country's history. It made going to Parliament as the Labour MP for Christchurch Central a lonely experience. For her, the increase in rainbow members is a proud moment for Parliament and will be a catalyst for change.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 20, 2020 06:56 UTC