David Lange circa 1985 For perhaps the only time in his life, prime Minister David Lange was lost for words as he stood in a Beehive office watching the anti-Homosexual Law Reform petition being delivered to Parliament. The 1985 petition, claimed to contain 800,000 signatures against decriminalising homosexuality but soon widely discredited, was delivered in dozens of file boxes by young Boys and Girls Brigade members, the Salvation Army and other religious opponents, with New Zealand flags in abundance and a presentation that reminded many of a Nazi rally. Peter Haynes "David joined me in my 5th floor Beehive office, saying 'You've got a great view here,'" recalls Peter Haynes, a man who worked in Bob Tizard's parliamentary office at the time. "We stood, then sat, watching what looked like a neo-Nazi rally and he was appalled to see one of his own MPs, Geoff Braybrook, with a prominent part in the proceedings that day. It was such an awful spectacle, such a low and very sad day." Lange, who voted for reform and was always known for his sharp and sometimes caustic wit, observed quietly, lost for words. "He could always see some wry humour to anything and often expressed that even when it wasn't entirely appropriate to do so... but this was the only time I ever saw him without a quip," says Haynes. "He just sat there." The Homosexual Law Reform Bill eventually passed on July 9 the following year. Celebrations around the country this month have been marking that landmark moment in New Zealand's social history.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 13th July 2016 - 11:26am