Human Rights (Press, 24 March 1982)

In a letter to the editor published in "The Press" on 22 March 1982, D. R. Bisman from Wellington expressed strong disapproval regarding a United States State Department report that commended New Zealand's human rights record as “exemplary.” Bisman argued that this assertion is either based on significant misinformation or reflects a deliberate effort to present false propaganda. The letter emphasised the ongoing discrimination faced by gay men and lesbian women in New Zealand, noting that these individuals are denied fundamental rights that are otherwise available to the broader population. Bisman pointed out the refusal by the Human Rights Commission to include “sexual orientation” in its recommended human rights legislation. This exclusion means that the over 300,000 estimated homosexual individuals in New Zealand can legally face discrimination in employment, housing, and access to goods and services. Furthermore, Bisman highlighted the potential for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community to be fired from jobs, evicted from homes, and subjected to ridicule and persecution without any legal protections or recourse. The letter concluded by asserting that often the authorities responsible for upholding rights are instead the ones violating them, underscoring the urgent need for legislative changes to protect the rights of homosexual individuals in New Zealand.

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