The two shades of John Key

Mr Key is judged a hero for his quietly powerful leadership on the issue of marriage equality, where he paved the way for many National MPs to commit to voting favourably on the issue.

However his playing to the “baying, homophobic crowd,” sees him also make the list of 2012’s villains, from his ‘gay red top’ insult on one radio show to having a snide mock wedding with a man in a dress on another.

“Less of the mincing and mockery and more of the enlightened leading please Mr Key,” GayNZ.com urges.

The list was crafted by GayNZ.com writers and advisers from the political sphere.

You can see who made the cut and who failed to cut the mustard here