Editing Brian Tamaki (section)

===Transgender issues===
On 5 May 2024, Tamaki denounced the use of [[puberty blocker]]s for [[transgender]] children and youth people undergoing transitioning, according to Tamaki they were causing "irreversible damage." He also opposed the appointment of Dr [[Sue Bagshaw]] as the Government's lead investigator on the review of puberty blockers' suitability in New Zealand.  The following day, he and Pastor Derek Tait led a protest by Destiny Church members against Te Tahi Youth health service in [[Christchurch]], which helps [[transgender]] people access healthcare. Destiny supporters were met by counter-protesters while Police monitored the event. During a heated altercation, a teddy bear was thrown at Tamaki's car.<ref>{{cite news |title=Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki trans protest in Christchurch met with counter-protest |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/destiny-church-leader-brian-tamaki-trans-protest-in-christchurch-met-with-counter-protest/SS4ASSRQ3ZDK5LJLIEOBILREZU/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=6 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507025345/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/destiny-church-leader-brian-tamaki-trans-protest-in-christchurch-met-with-counter-protest/SS4ASSRQ3ZDK5LJLIEOBILREZU/ |archive-date=7 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 May 2024, ''[[The New Zealand Herald]]'' reported that Tamaki was scheduled to speak at the upcoming "UNSILENCED: Middle New Zealand on ideology" at [[Wellington]]'s [[Tākina]] convention centre on 18 May alongside [[Family First New Zealand]] leader [[Bob McCoskrie]] and former [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] MP [[Simon O'Connor]]. The Convention Centre is owned and operated by [[Te Papa Museum]] and [[Wellington City Council]]. Protest groups Queer Endurance In Defiance and the Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition denounced the conference for allegedly promoting [[transphobia]] and said it was contacting the Council in order to cancel the event on safety grounds. While Wellington City Council Māori Ward Councillor Nīkau Wi Neera called for the event's cancellation, [[Free Speech Union (New Zealand)|Free Speech Union]] chief executive Jonathan Ayling defended the conference on free speech grounds.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Howwell |first1=Azaria |last2=Manera |first2=Ethan |title=Review under way into 'anti-trans' event being held at Wellington's Tākina Convention Centre |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/review-under-way-into-anti-trans-event-being-held-at-wellingtons-takina-convention-centre/O5DMJUHBPFFFLFGKUK5V3ZM4GQ/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=14 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514025215/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/review-under-way-into-anti-trans-event-being-held-at-wellingtons-takina-convention-centre/O5DMJUHBPFFFLFGKUK5V3ZM4GQ/ |archive-date=14 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following a safety review, Te Papa allowed the event to proceed, but said it would monitor the situation and expressed support for the LGBT community. Tamaki spoke at the Unsilenced conference, which was organised by Inflection Point NZ. O'Connor and British activist [[Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull]] (who participated via video-link) also spoke at the conference. 360 people attended the Unsilenced conference. A protest organised by Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition and Queer Endurance in Defiance attracted 500 people. A protester also released a bottle containing a foul-smelling substance outside the Convention Centre.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hundreds protest outside controversial conference in Wellington |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/517158/hundreds-protest-outside-controversial-conference-in-wellington |access-date=20 May 2024 |work=[[RNZ]] |date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519174916/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/517158/hundreds-protest-outside-controversial-conference-in-wellington |archive-date=19 May 2024}}</ref>