As you probably don’t know unless you are especially interested in international politics, in my home country the Italian parliament has just performed triple back somersaults to avoid electing a honest president, and the Houses are being locked in a suicidal battle that prevents any work to be actually done. Insults, screams, slandering and physical violence between MPs are common – and of course a very little part of the fight is about marriage equality rights for gay couples. It is extremely refreshing then to see that in more civilized countries the debate is held in an altogether different fashion. This is the New Zealand parliament passing the equality bill and celebrating with a moving rendition of Pokarekare ana – a love song from the 1910s, flowers, smiles and a few emotional tears.