Homosexual Law Change Supported (Press, 19 May 1965)
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Summary: Homosexual Law Change Supported (Press, 19 May 1965)
On 18 May 1965, the Bishop of Auckland, the Rt. Rev. E. A. Gowing, voiced his support for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Michael Ramsey, who had recently argued in the House of Lords for a reevaluation of the laws concerning homosexual acts between consenting adults in private. Bishop Gowing highlighted that the Archbishop maintained a belief that homosexual acts are inherently wrong, but he suggested that criminalising such acts may not be the most effective response to what he termed “transgressions of the law of God.” Bishop Gowing reiterated that Dr. Ramsey and his supporters felt that making consensual homosexual acts illegal was not a constructive solution. He cited a report from the Church of England Moral Welfare Council released in 1956, which had also examined the issue of laws regarding homosexuality. The report offered several reasons against criminalising homosexual acts between consenting adults. It pointed out inconsistencies in the law by noting that fornication and adultery are not subject to criminal penalties, thereby questioning the rationale for treating homosexuality as a criminal offence. Furthermore, Bishop Gowing remarked on the detrimental effects of the existing laws, stating that they were linked to increased rates of suicide and created vulnerabilities for individuals, who could be subjected to blackmail due to their sexual orientation. This statement from Bishop Gowing reflects a broader conversation within the church and society regarding the legal treatment of homosexuality and highlights a progressive stance emerging among some church leaders during a period when attitudes toward homosexuality were beginning to shift.
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