Homosexual Bill Pleases Reform Group (Press, 12 February 1975)

On 11 February 1975, the Crimes Amendment Bill, proposed by Mr V. S. Young from the National Party, received support from the Homosexual Law Reform Society in Wellington. The bill aims to legalise homosexual acts between consenting adult males in private, although the society expressed concerns that the legislation might not fully reflect recent developments in the understanding of homosexuality. The society recommended that the age of consent should be aligned with the age of majority, suggesting it be set at 20 years. They referenced the Netherlands, where the common age of consent for both heterosexual and homosexual acts is 16. The Homosexual Law Reform Society highlighted that since their petition to Parliament six years earlier, there has been a growing acceptance of male homosexuals as individuals deserving of dignity and respect. They argued that this recognition stems from increased knowledge rather than a decline in moral standards. The society refuted fears that legal reform might lead to public displays of homosexuality or cause heterosexual individuals to change their sexual inclinations, deeming such concerns unscientific and politically unrealistic. They contended that the removal of legal barriers would diminish the perceived need for pressure groups advocating for homosexual rights. Addressing the apprehension that legalisation could lead to an increase in child molestation, the society clarified that this issue does not pertain specifically to homosexuals. Dr D. L. Matheson, a member of the society, remarked that while there may be a small subset of homosexuals with an interest in boys, the majority are not. Thus, he stressed that the homosexual community is diverse and cannot be categorised as a single entity. The New Zealand branch of the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists also weighed in on the discussion, suggesting that the psychological adjustment and treatment of homosexuals have been adversely affected by societal attitudes. They noted a slow but positive increase in societal acceptance of homosexuals and advocated for reforms in the laws governing consensual homosexual acts, asserting that such changes would aid in normalising the lives of homosexual individuals. Collectively, these viewpoints reflect a growing recognition of the need for progress in the legal and social treatment of homosexuals in New Zealand.

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