“The feeling behind why a man is gay is because, in a lot of ways like other men that have had harder upbringings, they’ve fallen into a place where they haven’t been loved” the ‘man up’ organiser claims.
Brain Tamaki drew a large crowd in Wanganui for his ‘man up’ Hui, but not all were happy to have him there.
Over 500 people gathered in Wanganui for Destiny Church’s ‘man up’ Hui which aims “to help turn men’s lives away from violence, crime, and addiction.”
While the rally went ahead without incident, there were concerns raised from some within the local gay community in regards to the ‘man up’ programme’s lack of inclusion and Brain Tamaki’s long history of anti-gay rhetoric.
Speaking to the Wanganui Chronicle, Ross Fallen from the local gay community said that while he wouldn’t protest the event he did question whether ‘man up’ organisers would welcome gay couples as part of the programme.
“I just want the public to know it’s not an inclusive rally. It has a ‘but’ on it. Which is, ‘heterosexual men make great husbands and role models’ and that’s ridiculous.
“There are gay couples who are adopting children or raising children through other means and the law supports it. I’m just annoyed that somebody’s promoting such a great topic but it’s not an inclusive topic, we are excluded.”
However, Man Up director Caine Warren refused to answer the question when put to him saying it detracted from the purpose of the hui – to turn violent and disillusioned men’s lives around.
“[The hui] is inclusive of all men who call themselves men and want to be better fathers, better husbands. That’s definitely our motto.
“You’re saying gay husbands to gay men? No, that’s not what I’m saying. That’s not the message I’m saying from Man Up. The feeling behind why a man is gay is because, in a lot of ways like other men that have had harder upbringings, they’ve fallen into a place where they haven’t been loved,” he told the Wanganui Chronicle.
Bizarrely, Fallen then chose to liken gay men to those experiencing problems with alcohol.
“I guess that’s what I’m saying; the men who come to Man Up, they come as they are, whether they’re alcoholic, in a homosexual relationship. But I definitely know … when they do get healed, they do overcome some of these challenges they face, whatever they may be.”
Despite a comparison, many would interpret as being homophobic, Warren still claims he is not casting judgment on the gay community.
“I’ve got homosexual cousins and friends so there’s no judgment towards them. Primarily we believe in a functional man being a husband to a woman is the ideal for a family.”
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