Human rights are important. So important in fact, that they are international law. Every human is legally obliged to them, and therefore everyone has them. Not only is it illegal in New Zealand to break or take away these rights, but internationally illegal by the United Nations. According to Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

"All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination." (Reference 1)

According to this, every human is entitled to equal protection under law free from discrimination. The definition of discrimination is (in short) "To treat someone different because of some reason to do with their body, identity, nationality, etc." (Reference 2)

This bill that the New Zealand Government is trying to pass, is attempting to change the definitions of Woman and Man. The reasoning behind this is that it will allow "uphold legal certainty, protect the integrity of sex-based rights, and ensure that language in law reflects biological reality." (Reference 3) But here's the problem, if this aw is passed, as Vanushi Walters said, "It creates a platform for hate." (Reference 4)The redefining of man and women is based on biological factors, like genitalia and chronozones and not what people feel they actually are. This will make changing your legal documents much more difficult as a trans or rainbow person and make life in general more difficult for intersex people and parents of intersex babies. 

Not only that, but in New Zealand, it is illegal to discriminate against people due to their gender identity. (Reference 5 (article 21)) This bill could be used as a basis to discriminate against trans or intersex people as their gender expression may not match their legal documents. As we said earlier, discrimination is illegal and punishable under law due to it. 

So please, if you care about our rainbow community, sign this petition and help us stop this horrible law from being passed.