Key Takeaways
- A billboard outside St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Auckland’s city centre opposes New Zealand First’s Bill to legally define “woman” and “man” by biological sex.
- The signage, using trans‑flag colours, reads: “We don’t care what’s in your pants… and neither should our government,” and encourages public submissions before the 2 July deadline.
- Reverend Doctor Richard Bonifant argues the bill discriminates against transgender and intersex people—who comprise less than 1 % of the population—and asserts that gender self‑identification is a personal right, not a governmental prerogative.
- The billboard has garnered strong public support, with over 7 000 likes and 250 comments on the church’s Facebook page and amplification by advocate Shaneel Lal.
- Within the wider religious community, opinions are divided; Bonifant emphasizes Jesus’ inclusive example as the church’s guiding principle.
- Protests opposing the bill took place in five cities, drawing an estimated 10 000 participants, while Minister Winston Peters denounced protesters on social media, framing the bill as protection for women’s rights and safety.
- The current billboard echoes a similar 2010 church display supporting marriage equality, indicating a pattern of the congregation using public signage to advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Background of the Controversial Bill
New Zealand First’s proposed legislation seeks to enshrine in law that a “woman” is an adult human biological female and a “man” is an adult human biological male. Proponents argue the measure clarifies legal definitions for areas such as sports, single‑sex spaces, and anti‑discrimination protections. Critics, however, contend that the bill erases the lived experiences of transgender and intersex individuals by refusing to recognize gender identity as a legitimate basis for legal classification. The bill’s tight submission window—closing on 2 July—has intensified public debate and mobilized advocacy groups on both sides of the issue.
St Matthew’s Church Takes a Stand
Located on Auckland’s bustling Queen Street, St Matthew’s Anglican Church erected a billboard that directly challenges the bill’s premise. The sign, painted in the colours of the transgender flag (blue, pink, and white), bears the slogan: “We don’t care what’s in your pants… and neither should our government.” By placing the message in a high‑traffic area, the church aims to reach commuters, tourists, and local residents, inviting them to reflect on the implications of legislating gender solely on biological criteria.
Theological Rationale Behind the Message
Reverend Doctor Richard Bonifant, the church’s lead minister, explained that the billboard stems from a conviction that faith calls for radical hospitality. He referenced Jesus’ practice of welcoming marginalized individuals without judgment, arguing that defining gender by anatomy contradicts that inclusive spirit. Bonifant emphasized that the church’s role is not to enforce societal norms but to embody love and acceptance, especially toward those whose identities fall outside traditional binary categories.
Impact on Transgender and Intersex Communities
Bonifant warned that the bill would disproportionately harm transgender and intersex New Zealanders, who together represent less than 1 % of the national population according to Stats NZ. He argued that legal recognition based solely on biology invalidates the gender identity of trans people and overlooks the medical realities of intersex variations. Such exclusion, he said, could exacerbate mental health struggles, increase discrimination in employment and housing, and undermine recent progress toward equality.
Public Reaction and Social Media Amplification
The billboard’s reception has been “unbelievable” and “overwhelmingly positive,” according to Bonifant. The church’s Facebook post announcing the sign attracted more than 7 000 likes and generated roughly 250 comments, many expressing gratitude for the visible advocacy. Prominent LGBTQ+ activist Shaneel Lal shared the image on his own platforms, triggering a cascade of additional likes and shares that extended the message far beyond Auckland’s immediate vicinity.
Voices Within the Religious Community
While St Matthew’s has taken a clear progressive stance, Bonifant acknowledged that opinions among New Zealand’s faith groups are mixed. Some congregants quietly support the rainbow community, seeing alignment with broader Christian teachings of compassion. Others, citing specific scriptural passages, oppose any redefinition of gender and view the bill as a necessary safeguard of traditional values. The church leadership seeks to navigate this tension by focusing on the exemplary life of Jesus rather than doctrinal debates.
National Protests and Political Pushback
Across five cities—including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Dunedin—approximately 10 000 people marched yesterday in opposition to the bill. Demonstrators carried signs echoing the church’s message and called for the government to withdraw the proposal. In response, Minister Winston Peters took to social media, labeling protesters “egotistical mouth‑breathers” and asserting that the bill aims to protect women’s and girls’ rights, freedoms, and safety. His remarks intensified the polarization, prompting further online exchanges between supporters and detractors of the legislation.
Historical Precedent: The Church’s Earlier Advocacy
The current billboard is not the first time St Matthew’s has used public signage to champion LGBTQ+ rights. Fourteen years ago, the congregation displayed a similar billboard supporting marriage equality, featuring a wedding cake topped with two brides. That earlier campaign helped shift public opinion and contributed to the eventual legalization of same‑sex marriage in New Zealand in 2013. Bonifant sees the present effort as a continuation of that legacy—using visible, community‑based advocacy to influence legislative outcomes before the submission deadline.
Looking Ahead: The Path to 2 July
As the 2 July submission deadline approaches, St Matthew’s encourages all concerned citizens to make their voices heard through the official consultation process. The church provides resources on its website and social media channels detailing how to submit feedback, emphasizing that public input remains a crucial democratic tool. Whether the bill will be amended, withdrawn, or passed in its current form hinges largely on the volume and tenor of submissions received in the coming weeks.
In summary, the billboard outside St Matthew’s Church embodies a faith‑driven call for inclusivity, challenges a biologically essentialist definition of gender, and seeks to mobilize public opposition ahead of a pivotal legislative deadline. The reaction—both supportive and critical—highlights the broader societal conversation taking place in New Zealand regarding transgender rights, religious values, and the role of government in defining identity.