Objections To Homosexuality Outlined (Press, 15 May 1975)

On 15 May 1975, Miss Patricia Bartlett spoke at a luncheon meeting in Christchurch for the Canterbury-Westland branch of the New Zealand Society of Accountants. This meeting marked the introduction of a new approach to the society's events, allowing the wives of members to attend alongside the men. Miss Bartlett, who serves as the secretary for the Society for the Protection of Community Standards, voiced strong opposition to the proposed Crimes Amendment Bill that aimed to decriminalise homosexual acts between consenting adults. She argued that if such acts were legalised, they could become commonplace, particularly among men in close living quarters such as prisons and the military. Miss Bartlett expressed concern that legalisation would normalise homosexual behaviour and remove societal restraints, potentially leading to efforts to further lower the age of consent for homosexual acts from 20 to 16, aligning it with the heterosexual age of consent. She accused homosexuals of being a significant risk factor for the transmission of venereal diseases due to the high number of partners they engage with compared to heterosexuals. According to her, a moderately active homosexual man may have contact with around 100 different partners in a year, which, she claimed, would exacerbate the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases if legal restrictions were lifted. Furthermore, Miss Bartlett mentioned that advocates for homosexual law reform were pushing for additional rights such as marriage, adoption, and a legal framework for wills in favour of same-sex partners. She raised alarm over social implications, stating that New Zealand’s women were being pressured to act as sexual objects, and highlighted the growing number of children born out of wedlock—9400 annually, with a significant portion of these children born to younger mothers. She addressed the issue of pre-marital sex, suggesting it contributed to distrust in relationships, leading to rising divorce rates, which currently saw one in eight marriages ending in divorce. Drawing on examples from Sweden, she warned that sex education devoid of moral guidance had led to increased rates of illegitimacy and venereal disease in that country. In her closing remarks, Miss Bartlett lamented the role of parents in discussing sexual matters, arguing against placing the responsibility on schools and teachers. She controversially suggested that the best method of contraception is the simple word ‘No’, highlighting her belief that societal attitudes in New Zealand encourage promiscuity rather than responsible choices regarding sexual conduct. Miss Bartlett's speech reflects a conservative perspective on sexual morals and the implications of changing laws surrounding homosexuality and sexual education.

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