Homosexuals Barred (Press, 25 June 1979)

On 25 June 1979, new regulations were announced regarding homosexuality in the Armed Forces of New Zealand. The Defence Council deemed these regulations necessary to maintain discipline within the military. The Secretary of Defence, Mr D. B. McLean, stated that personnel suspected of being homosexual could be discharged. He explained that the introduction of these regulations was intended to "tidy matters up," despite acknowledging that claims of significant issues with homosexuality in the Services were unfounded. Mr McLean articulated the belief that homosexuality was harmful to the good order and discipline essential in military life. He emphasised the need to preserve command relationships and noted the potential erosion of respect among personnel who might suspect that their superiors or peers were engaging in homosexual acts. The close quarters of military life make such perceptions particularly damaging, according to Mr McLean. In response, Mr M. Waghorne, the secretary of the Gay Rights Coalition, argued that the new regulations merely formalised practices that had been in place for some time, as homosexuals had previously faced discharge from the Services if suspected of their sexual orientation. This statement highlighted the ongoing tensions between military policy and the rights of homosexual individuals within the Armed Forces.

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