Plea For Homosexuals (Press, 5 February 1972)
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Summary: Plea For Homosexuals (Press, 5 February 1972)
On 5 February 1972, Professor B. S. Hetzel, the professor of social and preventive medicine at Monash University in Melbourne, made significant comments regarding the perception and treatment of homosexuality during his visit to Christchurch. He argued that it was incorrect to view homosexuality as a criminal condition and advocated for its classification as a behavioural disorder instead. Professor Hetzel drew parallels with the recent legal adjustments surrounding attempted suicide, suggesting that such changes should also apply to the laws concerning homosexual offences in New Zealand and Australia. He highlighted the importance of adapting legal frameworks to protect at-risk youth and suggested that the law can serve as a tool to encourage treatment for behavioural disorders, similar to approaches used with alcoholism. However, he noted that once individuals reached their mid-20s and had established their sexual orientation, the likelihood of successful treatment diminished significantly. He clarified that terms like “illness” and “disease” were not applicable to homosexuality, but rather it should be understood within the context of social behavioural issues that require further research and discussion. Moreover, Professor Hetzel expressed his concern regarding the health challenges posed by urbanisation and the emotional stress that follows. He emphasised the necessity of reforming medical education to better prepare healthcare professionals for community-based work rather than traditional hospital environments. He called for the establishment of more community medical centres that integrate various health services, indicating that some centres he observed in Christchurch were currently ahead of similar initiatives in Australia. Overall, Hetzel’s remarks emphasised a progressive shift towards understanding and treating homosexuality within a broader context of behavioural health and the pressing need for an evolved healthcare model in urban settings.
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