Oceania
Cook Islands becomes latest country to decriminalize homosexuality
MPs voted to repeal provision of 1969 law
 
																								
												
												
											AVARUA, Cook Islands — Lawmakers in the Cook Islands on Friday approved a bill that decriminalizes consensual same-sex sexual relations in the South Pacific country.
The Cook Islands News reported the Crimes (Sexual Offenses) Amendment Bill 2023 removes a provision of the Crimes Act 1969 that had punished homosexuality with up to five years in prison.
“On behalf of Pride Cook Islands, we congratulate our prime minister and his government for doing the right thing — Love is Love,” Pride Cook Islands President Karla Eggelton told the Cook Islands News after the vote. “Te Iti Tangata, hug the ones you love and now you can tell them they belong. We are one.”
Prime Minister Mark Brown said “it is not the job of government to tell people what their seuality is.”
“We are a people of love and respect,” he said. “Today we have done our job as lawmakers. We have removed a discriminatory and unjust law that goes against our constitution and our values as a nation. We have done what is right and what is just. We are protecting our people.”
UNAIDS Asia Pacific Regional Director Eamonn Murphy also praised the vote.
“Cook Islands’ latest move is part of a wave of global progress around removing laws that harm,” said Murphy in a press release. “It will inspire countries across the Pacific, Asia and the world to follow suit. Decriminalize, save lives.”
 
																	
																															- 
																	   a&e features4 days ago a&e features4 days agoReality star Bill Alverson discusses pageants and parenting 
- 
																	   Sports3 days ago Sports3 days agoThe edge of glory: Queer athlete Conor McDermott-Mostowy racing toward a more inclusive future in sports 
- 
																	   Arts & Entertainment4 days ago Arts & Entertainment4 days agoLos Angeles’ renowned poet Steven Reigns releases his most intimate work yet with his memorial memoir ‘Outliving Michael’ 
- 
																	   Movies2 days ago Movies2 days agoKristen Stewart talks ‘The Chronology of Water,’ the vulnerable debut feature that proved “impossible” to make (AFI Fest) 
- 
																	   West Hollywood3 days ago West Hollywood3 days agoWest Hollywood installs new intersex pride flags on Intersex Awareness Day 
- 
																	   West Hollywood3 days ago West Hollywood3 days agoResidents remain dubious as officials claim “no ICE involvement” at The Abbey 
- 
																	   Music & Concerts18 hours ago Music & Concerts18 hours ago“Gay-lingual” and glamorous: Stewart Taylor’s ‘Emilio’ is a forbidden love 
- 
																	   a&e features18 hours ago a&e features18 hours agoA NIGHT OUT to remember: Tig Notaro on comedy, parenthood, and the value of being seen 
- 
																	   Movies5 days ago Movies5 days agoHow ‘The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo’ director made a tender AIDS allegory about chosen family (AFI Fest) 
 
									 
																	 
									