Homosexuals “live Under Strain” (Press, 9 August 1968)

On 7 August 1968, Professor J. H. Robb, a sociology professor at Victoria University and president of the New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society, spoke about the challenges faced by homosexuals in New Zealand during an address to the society. He highlighted the mental strain that homosexual individuals experience due to societal pressures that prohibit open expression of their sexual desires. Dr Robb noted that many homosexual individuals often feel compelled to engage in their behaviour secretively, as public acknowledgment could lead to criminal charges. He mentioned that bisexuals who find themselves involved in homosexual activities and subsequently convicted may become fully identified as homosexual and marked by authorities. Dr Robb pointed out that most male homosexuals are not attracted to underage individuals, drawing a parallel to heterosexuals who similarly are not interested in immature girls. He also suggested that lesbianism among women is prevalent in New Zealand, though it does not attract the same level of societal disapproval as male homosexuality does. He asserted that ostracising male homosexuals results in a loss of potential contributions from talented individuals within the community. The professor’s comments included the assertion that about 5% of the population might be homosexual, yet the challenges in researching homosexuality remain significant due to a lack of understanding regarding its causes and the absence of any recognised “cure.” He argued that current societal attitudes contribute to ignorance regarding the issues faced by homosexual individuals. In a separate incident reported on 4 August in Las Vegas, a tragic event occurred when a stolen single-engine plane crashed into the tallest building in the city, claiming the life of the pilot, 39-year-old Everett Wayne Shaw. The aircraft collided with a sign atop the hotel, then crashed through the roof of the Las Vegas Convention Centre, with no other casualties reported. Police believe the crash may have been a bizarre suicide attempt, as Shaw left behind two notes indicating his despondency.

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