On the eve of the 20th anniversary of Homosexual Law Reform, the head of the Salvation Army has apologised to the gay and lesbian communities for the Sallies' decision to administer the petition opposing law reform. “We regret any hurt caused to people by the process of the petition and desire to build bridges to all sections of the community,” said Commissioner Garth McKenzie, Territorial Commander for the Salvation Army in New Zealand. The petition was launched in 1985 by anti-reform MPs and subsequently endorsed by chief law reform opponents Sir Keith Hay, Sir Peter Tait and members of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, the lead anti-law reform group comprised of members of Pentecostal and Reformed churches. The Salvation Army entered the fray by administering the petition and encouraging New Zealanders to sign. The decision “was not unanimously endorsed by all Salvation Army leadership at the time and it did give rise to considerable debate within our movement,” said McKenzie. The petition was reported back to Parliament ‘without recommendation' and many signatures were found to be bogus or attained under duress. The Salvation Army has retracted its position, and no longer supports the criminalisation of homosexual acts, says McKenzie. A new position paper on homosexuality is currently being debated within the movement, but is not yet ready for circulation.