Homosexual Law Reform Sought (Press, 9 October 1968)

On 8 October 1968, the New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society presented a petition to Parliament advocating the repeal of criminal penalties for homosexual behaviour between consenting adult males in private. This reform proposal mirrors the recommendations made by the Wolfenden Committee in Britain, which were accepted by the British Parliament the previous year. The petition was introduced by Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, a Labour MP from Island Bay, on behalf of the society. The petition has garnered support from a diverse group of individuals, including the society's president, Professor J. H. Robb from Victoria University, and its secretary, Mr J. W. Goodwin, a Wellington journalist. Additionally, it is signed by approximately 50 other individuals primarily affiliated with the churches, university faculties, and the legal and medical professions. Among the notable signatories are the Anglican Bishops of Auckland and Wellington, who endorse the petition in their personal capacities. The petition is endorsed by representatives from various denominations, including the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic Churches. It also includes signatures from public hospital and consulting psychiatrists, as well as individuals with experience in the prison system or connections to the Department of Justice. This move towards legal reform reflects a growing recognition of the rights of homosexual individuals in New Zealand and aligns with similar trends in other countries, marking a significant point in the ongoing discussion surrounding social justice and legal inequalities.

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