Protect debate on sex and gender

Dear Minister Goldsmith, 

Free speech does not exclude certain topics; that isn’t free speech. For New Zealand to remain a truly democratic nation, all issues must be open for discussion – especially the contentious ones. 
 
Law Commission’s Report 150: Ia Tangata | Protections in the Human Rights Act 1993 for people who are transgender, people who are non-binary and people with innate variations of sex characteristics recommends reforms to the Human Rights Act that would limit legitimate speech across critical areas of public life. 

Conversations about sex and gender are unavoidable in many contexts such as schools and workplaces on topics like bathrooms, pronouns, uniforms and dress codes, or sports. These are areas where Kiwis should be free to express their views without fear of punishment. 
 
But if enacted, the Law Commission’s recommendations would see doctors accused of discrimination for expressing clinical or conscientious objections to gender-related treatments, schools silencing debate to avoid complaints, and employers penalised for expressing (or allowing employees to express) views on pronouns or bathrooms. The Commission acknowledges these risks but offers no safeguards. 

The Law Commission claims its role is not to settle societal debates about sex and gender, but in this report, it does exactly this. Will you let this stand?  

We call on you Hon. Paul Goldsmith, the Minister of Justice, to reject the Law Commission’s recommendations in full, standing instead for Kiwis’ right to speak freely, debate openly, and hold differing views, especially on contentious issues. This is important now more than ever. 

Note - only your name and email address are required to sign.