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Labour Endorses Rights Of Gays (Press, 12 May 1981)

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: Labour Endorses Rights Of Gays (Press, 12 May 1981)

At the Labour Party conference in Wellington on 11 May 1981, a significant decision was made regarding the rights of homosexuals. The conference endorsed the right of homosexual individuals to file complaints regarding discrimination based on sexual orientation under the Human Rights Commission Act of 1975. This endorsement was achieved through a split vote, indicating a divide within the party with about two-thirds in favour and one-third against. During the discussions, the topic sparked heated debates and showcased contrasting views within the party. Some delegates expressed strong disapproval, with homosexuals described derogatorily as "deviants." The shadow Minister of Justice, Mr F. D. O’Flynn, expressed his opposition to the remit, labelling homosexual conduct as "unnatural and immoral." He was influential in swaying the conversation towards rejecting the proposal, despite attempts by other members like Mr Gauntlett and Mr R. Davies to keep the issue on the agenda in the lead-up to the election. Mrs Connie Purdue from Auckland argued that endorsing such a remit could negatively impact the rights of children to grow up in heterosexual families. Mr O'Flynn clarified his stance, acknowledging that while he supported decriminalising consensual homosexual acts in private, he opposed including the remit in the Labour Party's policy framework. He dismissed the idea that marriages between homosexuals could be legally recognised as absurd. The conference also addressed other justice-related issues, specifically the proposal for social welfare monitors to be stationed at police stations to oversee the treatment of suspects. Mr O'Flynn dismissed this suggestion as impractical, although he did support an amendment that called for police to ensure suspects were informed of their rights and to uphold those rights during questioning. Additionally, he agreed that lay observers could be included in police disciplinary processes to enhance transparency. Some delegates raised concerns about police treatment of suspects, but Mr D. Duggan, Labour's candidate for New Plymouth and a former policeman, voiced his disagreement with the calls for constant oversight of police stations, describing such proposals as "crazy." He defended police conduct, arguing that officers who might engage in misconduct do not endure in the force for long. Overall, the discussions at the Labour Party conference highlighted deep divisions over issues of sexual orientation rights and police accountability, reflecting broader societal debates occurring at the time.

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Publish Date:12th May 1981
URL:https://www.pridenz.com/paperspast_chp19810512_2_38.html