Synod Seeks Medical Aid For Homosexuals (Press, 25 August 1961)

On 25 August 1961, a significant report advocating for sweeping changes in laws related to homosexuals was presented at the annual meeting of the Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu Methodist Synod in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The report, delivered by Rev. J. B. Dawson of Napier, called for increased legal tolerance of homosexual practices among consenting males over the age of 21. It urged the government to facilitate research investigating the causes of homosexuality, by utilising resources from various departments and subsidising educational, medical, and psychiatric studies. Dawson articulated that the primary role of criminal law in this area should be to maintain public order and decency, protect citizens from harm, and prevent exploitation, rather than intruding into the private lives of individuals or enforcing specific behavioural patterns. He emphasized that the Methodist Church has always believed in democratic values and drawn a clear distinction between sin and crime, asserting that the State is not the appropriate guardian of public morality. Acknowledging the controversial nature of the topic, Dawson framed homosexuality as a disease akin to alcoholism, which was previously treated as a crime. He raised questions about the effectiveness of punishment in eradicating homosexual behaviour, noting a consensus among authorities that imprisoning homosexuals is generally fruitless, as it often leads to social ostracism and a criminal mindset rather than rehabilitation. Dawson referred to inquiries made by the Methodist Church concerning the Swedish experience, where consensual homosexual acts among adults in private stopped being a criminal offence in 1944. The responses from Swedish authorities indicated no increase in the prevalence of homosexuality following this legal change. He argued that asserting certain situations should not be criminalised does not imply condoning private immorality, as mature individuals are capable of bearing personal responsibility without the looming threat of legal repercussions. The Synod overwhelmingly supported a resolution calling for the government to assist in researching and addressing the complexities surrounding homosexuality. Additionally, a separate incident reported detail a burglary at Crofts Laundry on Avonside Drive, where cash amounting to £50 was stolen after thieves drilled the lock to gain entry and forcefully accessed a filing cabinet.

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