Complaint Against Feminist Festival (Press, 12 June 1982)

On 12 June 1982, the Human Rights Commission received a complaint regarding the exclusion of men from some events at a feminist Arts Festival held in Auckland. The complaint was prompted by decisions made by the festival organisers based on their interpretation of the law, believing they could limit attendance to women only for specific performances. Ms Shayne Mathieson, a human rights investigating officer, clarified that such restrictions were permissible only in relation to race, not sex or marital status. The matter was set to be discussed in a commission meeting on 16 June. One of the festival's organisers, Ms Jenny Renals, maintained that no changes would be made to the programme in response to the complaint. The issue at hand specifically revolved around a recent film screening that featured explicit lesbian content. For the film, men would be asked to leave the venue before its showing, which was only 13 minutes long. Renals expressed her belief that men’s presence during the film would make the women uncomfortable, asserting that the event was not designed to enhance men’s understanding or awareness of women’s issues. In the event that men refused to exit, she indicated they would be forcibly removed or the screening could be postponed. The festival also included other women-only events, such as the opening ceremony and a discussion on the lesbian-heterosexual dynamics within the feminist movement, which Renals argued would not be relevant for men. A dance event was planned exclusively for women as well, providing a space for women to enjoy each other's company without the presence of men. Renals expressed derision towards the Human Rights Commission, describing it as “a bit of a farce” and suggested they might respond to any official communication but were prepared to contest the issue in court if necessary. The controversial lesbian film had been granted an R18 rating by the Censor and was slated for a singular screening at the festival. The situation highlighted tensions between feminist activism, freedom of expression, and the broader interpretation of human rights legislation pertaining to gender in New Zealand at that time.

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