Gay Life ‘not Very Visible’ (Press, 28 July 1977)

During a recent public forum held as part of Gay Pride Week, Dr J. L. Moffat, a lecturer from Christchurch Postprimary Teachers’ College, drew a noteworthy comparison between homosexuality and an iceberg. He explained that while only a small part of an iceberg is visible above water, a significant portion remains hidden beneath the surface, much like the societal understanding of homosexuality. Dr Moffat pointed out that most people only perceive a "dirty little rock," which symbolizes the ignorance surrounding the topic. He expressed concern about general misconceptions, stating that even individuals with traditional family structures may not recognise their own homosexual inclinations. Dr Moffat highlighted that it has been ten years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Britain, yet New Zealand remains stagnant in its progress regarding gay rights and recognition. He stated that this reflects poorly on New Zealand as an old-fashioned country steeped in ignorance, an observation that he found shameful. The forum also featured contributions from other speakers, including Mr P. Piesse, the secretary of the Storemen and Packers’ Union, who noted that unions in New Zealand do not have formal policies addressing homosexuality and largely ignore its existence. Labour Party candidate Mr N. Anderson emphasised that the struggle for homosexual recognition is akin to the rights movements faced by women and Māori communities. The meeting included representatives from various political groups, including the Values Party and the Socialist Action League, alongside a member of the Canterbury University law faculty, all of whom advocated for homosexual equality. The chairperson, Mr M. Waghome, remarked that while the perspectives shared at the forum might seem biased, the absence of counterarguments was not due to a lack of invitations extended to local members of Parliament and representatives from major religions, as they had all declined to participate. Overall, the forum aimed to address the pressing issues regarding homosexual rights in New Zealand, seeking to educate the public and challenge the prevailing attitudes that contribute to the marginalisation of the LGBTQ+ community.

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