New Zealanders are disappointed with our Prime Minister once again and we are not particularly surprised as our Finance Minister and Sport Ministeris part of the Rainbow community !
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supports transgender athlete Laurel Hubbard to be included in Olympic teamJune 22, 2021
New Zealand’s PM throws her support behind transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard and argues she has every right to be included in the Tokyo Olympic team.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has backed the selection of trailblazing athlete Laurel Hubbard in New Zealand’s Olympic team, saying she goes to Tokyo with the country’s full support.
Ms Hubbard will become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics after winning selection in New Zealand’s weightlifting team.Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard (pictured) will become the first transgender athlete to compete at the Olympics after meeting eligibility requirementsThe 43-year-old met multiple eligibility standards set by the sport, the International Olympic Committee, and the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
Her selection has reignited a debate over the appropriate criteria for trans athletes but Ms Ardern said Ms Hubbard should be treated like any other Kiwi.‘Laurel is a member of our Olympic team and has support from us,’ she said.‘All parties here have simply followed the rules.
That’s the case for Laurel but also the team in New Zealand, they have followed the rules.’
New Zealand Finance Minister and Sport Minister Grant Robertson said he was ‘extremely proud of Laurel Hubbard as I am of all of New Zealand’s Olympic team’.‘She deserves to be there and we’ll be supporting her,’ he said.
Ms Hubbard was also praised by conservative opposition leader Judith Collins, who noted the debate around the weightlifter’s inclusion but offered her personal support amidst a backlash.
