Homosexual Law Reform Seen As Compassionate Move (Press, 13 February 1975)

On 12 February 1975, the Association of Probation Officers provided submissions to a Parliamentary Select Committee discussing Mr V. S. Young’s Crimes Amendment Bill, which aims to decriminalise homosexual acts between consenting males over the age of 21 in private. The association, representing nearly 150 probation officers, voiced that the arrest, trial, and sentencing of a homosexual individual, who otherwise leads a law-abiding life, could have devastating consequences. They highlighted that such legal repercussions could obliterate career opportunities, undermine personal goals, and complicate social contributions. The proposal to reform the law also includes extending the maximum penalty for sexually molesting boys under 16 from 10 to 14 years. The probation officers argued that adult homosexuals who engage only with consenting adults pose little threat to society, adding that the suffering caused by maintaining criminal sanctions is disproportionate. They expressed concern about the ongoing harsh penalties for consensual sexual activity among minors, emphasising that it is unlikely that reform would lead to more instances of such molestation. They noted that society is ready to accept homosexuals with a compassionate understanding but does not necessarily encourage homosexuality. Among other submissions, the Rev. I. D. Borrie of the Student Christian Movement controversially suggested that Jesus Christ might have been a homosexual, asserting that His relationship dynamics were primarily with men. In contrast, the Most Rev. R. J. Delargey, the Roman Catholic Metropolitan of New Zealand, insisted that laws should reflect the standards of social morality. He warned against abolishing laws that govern social morality simply to assist individuals, stressing that such changes could lead to societal confusion. Opponents of the bill included the Anglican Evangelical Fellowship, which warned that legalising private homosexual acts could undermine the concept of Christian marriage and lead society into moral decline. The Assemblies of God stated that legal sanctioning of homosexuality would invite divine judgment upon New Zealand, promoting the view that compassion should focus on rehabilitation rather than legalising what they see as sinful behaviour. The Anglican Committee on Public and Social Affairs expressed support for the bill’s principle, acknowledging diverging Christian opinions on the issue, while the Presbyterian Church's committee remarked that existing laws are based on prejudice and maintain that homosexuals, although deemed abnormal, do not represent a societal threat. The Methodist Church also backed the legislation, articulating that it would help rectify an injustice faced by a misunderstood minority. They argued that morality should not be conflated with legality, as many acts deemed immoral, such as adultery, are not criminalised. The Student Christian Movement and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) echoed this support for the bill, further highlighting the complex interplay of morality, legality, and societal acceptance regarding homosexuality.

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