As the same-sex marriage debate continues in New Zealand, lawmakers discussing a bill proposing the traditional definition of marriage have said it was inspired by U.S President Barack Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage.

One of the sponsors of the bill, Louisa Wall, an openly gay member of the opposition Labor Party, expressed that Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage in May “gave impetus to the bill,” The Associated Press shared. The bill was reportedly “picked at random” on Thursday during a parliamentary ballot.

“I hope that it becomes about what marriage means in modern society,” Wall said about the legislation. “This bill is based on the premise that everyone should have equal opportunity to recognize their relationship within the social and legal institution of marriage.”

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