Chansey Paech opens 13th Parliament of Northern Territory with powerful speech about being the first openly gay Indigenous parliamentarian.
“Madam Speaker, I am young, I am gay, I am black, a true blue Territorian. I am a Centralian man, I am the nation’s first openly gay, Indigenous parliamentarian. I am eternally proud of who I am and where I come from, I own it and wear it with pride.”
MP Chansey Paech has delivered a powerful maiden speech during the opening of the 13th Parliament of the Northern Territory.
The newly elected member for Namatjira, which includes Uluru, opened his speech by telling the Parliament he is proud of who he is.
“I am a Centralian man, I am the nation’s first openly gay, Indigenous parliamentarian,” Mr Paech said.
“I am eternally proud of who I am and where I come from, I own it and wear it with pride.”
“My sexuality was completely irrelevant to the people in the electorate. They were [focused] on issues which actually affected their everyday lives.”
Team Labor 1st day of sittings! #proud pic.twitter.com/F2Pe8HOjdG
— Chansey Paech MLA (@CPaech) October 18, 2016
Enormous thanks to every1 for support and kind words yesterday! I look forward to representing you all..
— Chansey Paech MLA (@CPaech) October 19, 2016
The 28-year-old’s mother is Eastern Arrernte and Gurindji heritage, while his father is Caucasian.
During the speech, Mr Paech, who was elected in August, said he represents a diverse rural community and is looking forward to serving them.
He also called for marriage equality and roadways to some of Australia’s most isolated areas.
