Wolfenden Debate (Press, 17 May 1965)
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Summary: Wolfenden Debate (Press, 17 May 1965)
On 12 May 1965, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Michael Ramsey, advocated for the legalisation of homosexual practices between consenting adult males during a debate in the House of Lords. He emphasised that while he believes homosexual acts, like fornication, are inherently wrong, there are varying degrees of culpability associated with these actions. Dr. Ramsey argued that the rationale for changing the law regarding sexual conduct between consenting adults in private is based on principles of reason and justice. His comments came in light of the recommendations from the Wolfenden Committee, which was established by the government to examine issues related to vice. The committee proposed several reforms to existing laws, suggesting that the legal restrictions on homosexual acts should be relaxed. They noted that under the current legal framework, individuals who identify as homosexual often face the threat of blackmail, which underscores the need for legal reform. In other news from Lyttelton, a 26-year-old seaman named Albert Clarence McMillan was fined £5 for using obscene language, as dealt with by Justices of the Peace D. Loader and R. H. Duff.
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