Homosexual Law Change Urged (Press, 10 April 1969)

On 9 April 1969, Mr K. R. Daniels, a psychiatric social worker from the North Canterbury Hospital Board, addressed the issue of homosexuality at Christchurch College. He emphasised that although some dismiss homosexuality as unimportant, it remains a significant problem stemming from widespread ignorance. Daniels suggested that while increased education could alleviate misunderstanding and hostility towards homosexuality, there are limits to what education alone can achieve. He explained that homosexuality is not merely defined by sexual acts, but rather as a personality pattern. According to Daniels, a person’s development into homosexuality often results from interference that prevents the normal biological goal of heterosexuality from being achieved. He noted that both men and women can experience this, indicating a spectrum from overt homosexuality to more latent forms. Two main theories were discussed regarding the origins of homosexuality: a biological explanation, which remains unproven, and a psychological perspective that attributes the condition to a disordered relationship between parent and child. Daniels highlighted that certain parental traits could hinder proper heterosexual identification, leading to homosexuality. He clarified that the individuals who interfere with children are not necessarily homosexuals, countering a common misconception. Daniels stated that if homosexuality is linked to personality development, there might be potential for reversal or modification, yet he acknowledged that for many, significant change is unlikely. He pointed out that there is no physical treatment for homosexuality, and methods such as castration do not resolve the underlying personality issues. The most common treatments available are group therapy, behaviour therapy, which does not change the core personality, and psychoanalysis, which seeks to understand the development process. Mr Daniels also identified systemic issues with the law, suggesting that it forces homosexuality underground, complicating the acquisition of knowledge and understanding. He estimated that 4 to 5 per cent of the New Zealand population is homosexual. Daniels argued that law reform would not likely increase homosexuality's prevalence but could greatly reduce human suffering and eliminate opportunities for blackmail against homosexuals. He noted that in many Western countries, homosexuality is no longer criminalised, although related abuses of authority or public decency remain offences. He criticised imprisonment as an ineffective response that potentially exacerbates resentment in individuals. Daniels acknowledged a shift in theological thinking, with some churches expressing support for the reform of laws regarding homosexuality, marking what he described as a significant cultural change.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand