“Public Tolerance” Of Homosexuality (Press, 20 October 1978)

In a letter published in "The Press" on 19 October 1978, Mike Waghorne, Secretary of the National Gay Rights Coalition, responded to a query from Mrs N. R. Raine regarding his claims about public support for homosexuality in New Zealand. Waghorne cited various sources to substantiate his assertion that a majority of New Zealanders support homosexuality and possess a good understanding of the subject. These sources included opinion polls from Heylen conducted over several years and recent polls from specific electorates such as Hamilton, Island Bay, Wellington Central, and Papanui. He expressed frustration at the negative labels often applied to gay individuals by a small minority, which he noted comprises less than 6 per cent of the population. Terms like "sick," "queer," "deviant," and "immoral" were highlighted as stigmatising labels that contribute to the marginalisation of gay people. Waghorne also voiced his concerns about the role of organisations like the Mental Health Foundation and Gayline, which provide assistance to gay individuals suffering from ignorance and hostility from society. He emphasised the importance of addressing these issues and supporting gay people in the face of discrimination and misunderstanding.

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