Transcript
In Cook Islands, the LGBTQI community was braced for what might have been its biggest victory yet.
A drafted amendment to the Crimes Act 1969 removed clauses setting out jail terms for sex between men.
The country's churches were incensed, including Bishop Paul Donoghue, who says it's important the country maintain its Christian principles.
"If we agree to decriminalise it, then it would seem that we are approving same sex marriage. So we felt we would have been compromising our position."
Paul Donoghue is chair of the Cook Islands Religious Advisory Council, representing six churches.
The group is one of several submitters to ask a justice select committee to keep the Crimes Act clauses.
The Cook Island News reports the committee has now moved to recommend this to Parliament.
A co-secretary general of the International LGBTI Association, Tuisina Ymania Brown, says she's appalled.
"This is an opportunity to stand up and be counted not as a selective Christian nation, practising some part of the Bible, and using other paths to dehumanise and oppress others. This is a time for real Christian leaders of faith who embrace every human soul."
A spokesperson for Cook Islands LGBTQI community group Te Tiare Association, Valentino Wichman, says they continue to face opposition from churches.
"The churches wield a lot of influence in this country. And their perspective has been heard by the select committee."
Under the current Crimes Act, Cook Islands men can face five years prison for engaging in what's dubbed as "indecent acts" with other men.
People hosting these acts in their premises can face up to 10 years jail.
Debate over the amendments have sparked renewed calls for change.
An online petition to support decriminalising homosexuality has gained more than 2,500 signatures.
Valentino Wichman says Te Tiare Association will make a new submission to the select committee.
"We will protest against this recommendations as it goes against our human rights as under our Constitution."
Justice Minister Rose Brown declined to comment until the bill was before Parliament.
The bill is the latest church-linked backlash against the Cook Islands LGBTQI community.
In June, Cook Islands temporarily banned the screening of Elton John bio-pic Rocketman because of its gay sex scenes.
The film resumed screening only after intense public outcry.
This is Mackenzie Smith.
