There has been a mixed online response to Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna’s remarks about the legalisation of same sex marriage in the Cook Islands.
In a press conference last week he said that it was not currently an issue and there is no need to deal with it until it becomes one.
His comments come in response to a United Nations campaign calling for action on homophobia and transphobia in the Pacific Islands.
Puna says the Cook Islands shouldn’t just follow what the UN or the international community is doing.
“We have our own community here, and we need to be guided by our own people as to what we want to do in response to those pressures.”
Online comment from local and expatriate Cook Islanders have been both critical and supportive of Puna’s stance.
The Cook Islands is one of eight Pacific nations, and one of 77 countries, where it is illegal to engage in any sexual activity with a person of the same sex.
Source
