The Pink Times
Aa
  • Home
  • World News
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • Rights
    • Activism
    • Law
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Media
    • Health
  • Health
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Drag
    • Fashion
    • History
    • Love
    • People
    • Photography
    • Religion
  • Drag
  • Life
  • Money
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • People
Reading: Jacinda Ardern’s Legacy: Advancing LGBTQ+ Rights in New Zealand
Share
Aa
The Pink Times
Search
  • Home
  • World News
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • Rights
    • Activism
    • Law
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Media
    • Health
  • Health
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Drag
    • Fashion
    • History
    • Love
    • People
    • Photography
    • Religion
  • Drag
  • Life
  • Money
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • People
Follow US
The Pink Times > World News > Asia Pacific > Jacinda Ardern’s Legacy: Advancing LGBTQ+ Rights in New Zealand
Asia PacificPolitics

Jacinda Ardern’s Legacy: Advancing LGBTQ+ Rights in New Zealand

The Pink Times
The Pink Times January 19, 2023
Updated 2023/01/19 at 6:26 PM
Share

On Thursday, January 19th, Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, announced her resignation from her position, citing that she no longer has ‘enough in the tank, to continue leading the country. As the world watches her step down from one of the most powerful positions in the world, it is worth reflecting on the legacy that Ardern has left behind.

Throughout her time as Prime Minister, Ardern advanced LGBTQ+ rights in New Zealand and showed empathy to the country’s queer community at every turn. In 2018, Ardern became the first New Zealand Prime Minister to march at Pride, showing her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. In 2020, Ardern’s Labour Party pledged to ban conversion therapy and in February 2022, the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act received royal assent, ensuring practitioners of the pseudoscientific and harmful practice would face repercussions.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ardern appointed Grant Robertson as Deputy Prime Minister, making him the first openly gay person to hold the role. At that time, New Zealand’s cabinet was among the queerest in the world. Ardern also displayed kindness and empathy to the LGBTQ+ community during her time as Prime Minister. She was quick to defend Olympic weightlifter Laurel Hubbard in 2021 when she was selected for the country’s Tokyo team, a move that won praise from queer people at a time when many politicians were weaponizing trans inclusion in sport. That same year, New Zealand passed vital reforms to its gender recognition laws. The bill allowed trans people to self-declare their own gender and removed the requirement for medical intervention for a person to change their legal gender.

Throughout her tenure, Ardern has been a beacon of hope and an inspiration to many. She is a leader who has shown that it is possible to be kind, but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused. Her leadership has been a testament to the fact that one can be their own kind of leader – one who knows when it’s time to go.

In the hours after Ardern announced her resignation, tributes flooded in on social media, with many praising her for inspiring women and girls and for standing up for the most marginalized in society. Some drew attention to the relentless misogynistic abuse she faced on social media throughout her time as Prime Minister. This serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that women in positions of power are not constantly subjected to such abuse.

As we bid farewell to Jacinda Ardern, we must remember the impact she has had on New Zealand and the world. Her leadership has been a shining example of empathy, kindness, and progressivism, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

TAGGED: conversion therapy ban, empathy, gender recognition laws, Jacinda Ardern, leadership, LGBTQ+ rights, marginalized communities, misogyny, New Zealand, Prime Minister, progressivism, social media abuse

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts and more!
Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
The Pink Times January 19, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit VKontakte Telegram Email
Share
Cardi B Enlists RuPaul’s Drag Race Icons Violet Chachki and Gottmik to Direct Her New Music Video
Drag Music
Tina Turner Dies: Legendary LGBTQ Icon Singer Was 83
Music People
Wanda Sykes Stands Strong as an LGBTQ+ Ally in New Netflix Special
TV
Growing Support for Same-Sex Marriage in Hong Kong, Yet Progress Remains Slow for LGBTQ+ Couples
Asia Pacific Community
Drag Race México Reveals Stellar Cast for Inaugural Season, Championing Mexican Drag Superstars
Americas Drag TV
Ad image
Join us!

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Most Viewed Posts

  • Hot Photos from Paul’s Book “Larrikin Prince” Unleashed
  • Hot and Sexy: A Visual Exploration of Masculine Bravado and Regal Splendor
  • A Shift in Perspective: The Art of Male Nude Photography
  • A Journey Through Male Body Diversity with InkedKenny and BEEFYBOY
  • The Ginger Sensation of RuPaul’s Drag Race: A Tribute to Bryce Eilenberg

Useful links

About us
Advertise
Contact
Newsletter

The Pink Times
Follow US

All rights reserved

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss the latest news, podcasts and more!

Please wait...

Thank you for sign up!

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?