Bid To Alter ‘gav’ Law (Press, 8 March 1985)
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Summary: Bid To Alter ‘gav’ Law (Press, 8 March 1985)
On 8 March 1985, OLIVER RIDDELL reported from Wellington that a significant piece of legislation, the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, was set to be introduced in Parliament. This bill aims to decriminalise homosexual acts between consenting males aged over 16. It was introduced by Ms Fran Wilde, a Labour MP representing Wellington Central, fulfilling a promise she made during the 1984 General Election. The introduction of this bill follows previous attempts at law reform over the last decade, notably those made by National MP Venn Young, Labour MP Warren Freer, and Ms Wilde. Although Mr Young made a prior attempt to introduce similar legislation in 1974, it did not succeed. Ms Wilde announced her intention to not only decriminalise homosexual acts but also amend the Human Rights legislation in New Zealand to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. She stated that approval for homosexual law reform was long overdue, particularly in light of the rejection of previous efforts a decade prior. Wilde highlighted that public attitudes towards homosexuality had shifted significantly since then, referencing a 1980 Heylen poll which indicated substantial support for legislative amendments allowing consenting sexual activities between adult males to be treated comparably to those of heterosexuals. She argued that it was a matter of basic social justice and that continuing to oppress individuals based on their sexual preference was both unjust and indefensible. The urgency of this reform was further underscored by the emergence of A.I.D.S. in New Zealand, as Wilde pointed out that it hindered the ability to implement effective public health initiatives when a sizable portion of the affected population was categorised as "criminals" under existing laws. The legislation is structured as an omnibus bill to facilitate discussion and consideration as it moves through Parliament. Upon final enactment, it will consist of two parts: a Crimes Amendment Act and a Human Rights Commission Amendment Act, which will specifically include measures to protect young individuals. This reform marks a potentially transformative moment in New Zealand’s legal and social landscape regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
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