Homosexuals: Student View (Press, 2 April 1973)

On 2 April 1973, the president of the New Zealand University Students’ Association, Mr S. Chan, stated that approximately 10 per cent of university students in larger cities like Christchurch and Auckland could be classified as homosexuals. This comment followed the release of a revised edition of a sex education booklet by the association, which for the first time included a section on homosexuality. More than 15,000 copies of the booklet are set to be distributed across universities, technical institutes, teachers' colleges, and secondary schools in New Zealand. Mr Chan highlighted the association's goal of diminishing the social stigma associated with homosexuality, noting that many individuals have faced unnecessary punishment due to existing laws regarding male homosexuality. He emphasised that universities should foster environments where relationships can develop freely, regardless of sexual orientation. To enhance advocacy for homosexual rights, the association plans to appoint a permanent officer to address issues surrounding homosexual law reform, reinforcing its commitment to social justice for homosexuals in New Zealand. The newly published booklet reflects changing attitudes towards sex education and states that “homosexuality is not something different and set apart from the rest of sex.” It cites Justice Department estimates of around 150,000 adult homosexual men in New Zealand and advises young individuals not to overly dramatise their sexual tendencies. The publication challenges common misconceptions that all homosexuals are psychologically disturbed and stresses that prejudice exacerbates ignorance. It points out that as long as homosexuals remain fearful of revealing their identities, research into the various causes of homosexuality will be limited. The booklet asserts that societal denial of a significant minority's rights to meaningful relationships compounds personal and communal issues. It calls for increased human understanding and emphasises that societal attitudes must evolve to reflect the reality of diverse sexual orientations.

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