The failed compensation case of a man who claims he was sexually assaulted in the Navy during the 1980s has revealed interesting aspects of life at sea for gay men, or men suspected of being gay, before the Homosexual Law Reform and change of Navy rules. The man claimed he was abused while onboard the HMNZS Canterbury in 1984, by an older sailor who was ultimately discharged from the Navy for homosexual activity. The sexual assault aspect of this case has been covered inGayNZ.com Daily News. However the extensive details included in the ruling of Justice Jill Mellon yield a depth of information about the official Navy position on homosexuality in its ranks before reform – as well as what may have really been happening below deck. Official Navy position Justice Mellon points out that the alleged assault took place in a different era, before the 1986 Homosexual Law Reform Act, up until which 'homosexual conduct' between men was a criminal activity. Within the Navy, 'homosexual conduct' remained an offence until 1994 and Navy personnel were discharged if it was established that they were 'practising homosexuals'. Guidance on how to deal with suspected gay activity was issued by the Chief of Naval Staff in the form of In Confidence Naval Orders. These orders were kept locked away, but were available to those who had authority to deal with any cases, such as the Commanding Officer, other Officers and the Master At Arms on a ship. The instructions said homosexuality was an 'evil' that needed to be stamped out. "The Royal New Zealand Navy cannot afford, and does not want, to retain homosexuals in its ranks. The corrupting influence of such is widespread, and their removal from the Service is essential if the Navy is not to betray its trust towards the young men and women in its midst who may be perverted by them." The orders go on to say "extensive harm may be done by even a single pervert in a ship, where no reason is known for keeping a special eye on him." The basic rule was that in cases of proven gay activity, anyone involved should be brought to trial under court-martial, where if found guilty, they would be thrown out of the Navy. Commanding Officers were also encouraged to keep up the Navy's morals by looking out for any tolerance of homosexuality – or as the document describes it "the horrible character of unnatural vice and its evil effects in sapping the moral fibre of those who indulge in it". Officers were encouraged to stamp any kind of gayness out by looking for men with unstable or unhappy backgrounds. "These would include those who nominate friends or unusual relatives as next of kin, those who have been brought up in homes or orphanages and those who spend their leaves at clubs, etc. Such men, often lonely, are frequently the chosen prey of the homosexual and they require encouragement if they are not to fall." They were also told to encourage younger members of the ship to resist any gay advances and complain if they were approached: "that unless they wish to be considered as participating in the crime they must make complaint at the earliest moment". A further In Confidence Naval Order made in 1982 warned that some Naval personnel might regard hanging out in the 'haunts of civilian homosexuals' as socially acceptable. "Officers and senior ratings must be continuously on the alert for any indications of homosexual behaviour among Naval personnel. This applies particularly to those who are known to have unstable backgrounds and who habitually spend their leaves at clubs. It also applies particularly to younger Naval personnel who may be passing through an adolescent phase when they may be more easily tempted to indulge in homosexual acts or involvements." In 1983 women were mentioned, with a directive that the same policy should be applied to both men and women involved in 'homosexual acts'. It outlined the risks of 'homosexuals in its ranks' as the chance others could be 'corrupted', or that it could result in blackmail – which could be a security risk. This was the official policy. But what was really going on? GayNZ.com will next feature a look at what life might have been like on the high seas for gay sailors. Were you in the Navy in the 70s and 80s? Or know someone who was? Email gaynz@woosh.co.nz Jacqui Stanford - 24th June 2010