Information on Crimes Amendment Bill 1974

The Crimes Amendment Bill of 1974, introduced by New Zealand Member of Parliament Venn Young, marked a pivotal moment in the history of LGBTI rights in New Zealand. This legislation was the first parliamentary attempt to decriminalize homosexual acts between consenting adults in the country, reflecting a growing awareness and push for equality within the LGBTI community.

The bill proposed the legalization of private homosexual acts between consenting adults, aligning with similar legislative trends in other countries like the United Kingdom. However, a significant point of contention was the proposed age of consent. Young's bill set this at 21 years old, a noticeable deviation from the age of consent for heterosexual acts, which was 16 years old at that time. This discrepancy was a major issue for the gay movement in New Zealand, leading to criticism and lack of support from gay rights organizations. They argued for an equal age of consent and emphasized the importance of consent over the nature of the acts themselves.

Despite its groundbreaking nature, the bill was ultimately unsuccessful. The lack of support from gay rights organizations, stemming from the unequal age of consent, was a crucial factor in its failure. This issue remained a contentious point in subsequent attempts at reform. For instance, when MP Warren Freer proposed similar legislation in 1979 and 1980 with an age of consent for homosexuals at either 20 or 18, these too failed to garner support from gay groups for similar reasons.

The introduction of the Crimes Amendment Bill by Venn Young, however, was a significant step in the journey towards homosexual law reform in New Zealand. It brought the conversation into the public and parliamentary domains, setting the stage for future debates and legislative efforts. This period marked the beginning of a more organized and vocal movement for gay rights in the country, contributing to the eventual decriminalization of homosexual acts with the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Act in 1986.

While the bill did not succeed in changing the law at the time, it represented a key moment in the history of LGBTI rights in New Zealand, illustrating the complexities and challenges faced in the struggle for equality. The efforts of Venn Young and others laid the groundwork for future activism and legal changes, highlighting the evolving attitudes and policies towards the LGBTI community in New Zealand.

Further information can be found at:

• nzhistory.govt.nz