Homosexuals In Forces (Press, 27 June 1979)
This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.
Summary: Homosexuals In Forces (Press, 27 June 1979)
On 27 June 1979, letters to the editor in a New Zealand publication expressed strong criticism regarding the Ministry of Defence's decision to purge homosexuals from the armed forces. Sandra M. Legge articulated concern that this initiative demonstrates a broader societal issue, suggesting that New Zealand is constrained by traditional moral values dictated by older politicians. She argued that New Zealanders typically show a low tolerance for diverse lifestyles and are resistant to change, describing the repression faced by homosexuals as a troubling reflection of societal attitudes. Legge warned that such governmental actions signify the beginning of a moral witch-hunt against these individuals. Similarly, Paul Maling responded to the Secretary of Defence, Mr D. B. McLean, who claimed that "erosion of command relationships" results from personnel believing that their superiors or comrades engage in homosexual acts. Maling countered that the appropriate response would be to discharge those unable to respect others' sexual orientations, rather than targeting suspected homosexuals for discharge. He noted that many men can be identified as potentially facultative homosexuals and suggested that the collapse of respect arises solely from a conservative minority within the military. Maling expressed concern that codifying such prejudices would allow unfounded suspicion to be used as a tool to eliminate those seen as competition for promotions, drawing historical parallels to such tactics used by the Nazi regime against certain individuals. He questioned the genuineness of maintaining "good order and discipline" under these new regulations. The letters reflect a growing public discourse around sexual orientation, rights, and the implications of policy decisions in the context of New Zealand society during that period.
Important Information
The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact
The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand