高考英语 考前突破阅读理解能力 社会生活 新西兰同性婚姻合法化素材.docVIP

新西兰同性婚姻合法化 New Zealands parliament has legalised same-sex marriage, the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so. 新西兰议会通过了同性婚姻合法化，这是亚太地区首个出此规定的国家。 ? Lawmakers approved the bill, amending the 1955 marriage act, despite opposition from Christian lobby groups. ? The bill was passed with a wide majority, with 77 votes in favour and 44 against. ? Hundreds of jubilant（欢呼的） gay-rights advocates celebrated outside parliament after the bill was passed, calling it a milestone for equality. ? People watching from the public gallery and some lawmakers immediately broke into song, singing the New Zealand love song Pokarekare Ana, AP news agency reported. ? Some opinion polls have suggested that about two-thirds of New Zealanders support the reform, although others polls suggest the public are more divided. ? Parliamentarians were allowed a conscience vote, and, crucially, the reform had the backing of both the Prime Minister John Key and leader of the opposition David Shearer, the BBCs Phil Mercer in Sydney reports. ? Celebrations have been held in pubs and clubs in the capital Wellington, our correspondent adds. ? Same-sex civil unions have been legal in New Zealand since 2005.