Objections To Report On Gay Rights (Press, 23 January 1981)
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Summary: Objections To Report On Gay Rights (Press, 23 January 1981)
On 23 January 1981, approximately a dozen members of the gay community in Christchurch gathered at the office of the Human Rights Commission to submit written objections to a recent report regarding gay rights. This meeting followed an informal discussion held two days earlier with the Human Rights Officer, Mr R. L. Caird, during which the community was encouraged to articulate their concerns in writing. The regional representative of the National Gay Rights Coalition, Mr D. R. Bisman, led the group and presented five letters that detailed their objections and raised questions concerning the commission's stance. The report in question had been released in December 1980 and responded to submissions made by the coalition 18 months prior. Notably, the commission opposed the inclusion of discrimination based on sexual orientation in its legislation. While the report suggested some amendments aimed at rectifying legal anomalies that imposed heavier penalties on men than women for indecent acts, it refrained from advocating for either a reduction in penalties for men or an increase for women. Mr Bisman expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of clarity and specific recommendations from the commission regarding the legal status of discrimination based on sexual orientation. He emphasised the community's desire for clearer guidance on why the commission chose not to recommend making such discrimination illegal and noted the absence of any positive action in their report. The deputation conveyed the sentiments of a significant portion of the gay community, expressing anger over the report's implication that certain forms of discrimination could be seen as lawful. They were also frustrated by what they perceived as the commission's disregard for international precedents concerning gay rights.
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