Homosexuality ‘not Threat’ (Press, 25 September 1975)
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Summary: Homosexuality ‘not Threat’ (Press, 25 September 1975)
On 25 September 1975, Mr P. R. Maling, a spokesman for Gay Liberation in Christchurch, expressed that the primary threat to family stability in New Zealand is an unhealthy attitude towards sex, rather than homosexuality itself. His comments were a response to statements made by Dr Claire Isbister, an Australian paediatrician visiting New Zealand on a lecture tour for the Roman Catholic Women's League. Dr Isbister noted that a boy requires a father figure to help identify his gender. Maling contested this assertion, stating that while some males might develop transsexual tendencies due to early gender confusion, such cases are quite rare. Maling argued that Dr Isbister's implication is that a boy’s potential homosexual attractions should be suppressed to maintain family stability, which he described as a "mystical" rather than scientific view. He cited cultural examples, such as the Siwans of Africa and ancient Greece, where male homosexual relations existed without undermining family stability. On the contrary, he suggested that New Zealand's rigid adherence to heterosexual norms and the societal rejection of male homosexuality serve to threaten family stability by imposing unrealistic expectations on relationships. Furthermore, Maling highlighted what he saw as a gender bias in discussions about homosexuality, noting that Dr Isbister focused solely on male homosexuality without mentioning female homosexuality. He pointed out the lack of legal repercussions for lesbian acts, contrasting that with the treatment of male homosexuality. Maling also noted that issues like adultery, which are significant threats to family integrity, are often overlooked by those who express concern about family stability while supporting laws against male homosexuality. He concluded by stating that the real danger to family security stems from New Zealand's unhealthy attitudes towards sex, as exemplified by the Parliament's reaffirmation of laws against male homosexuality.
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