Voting On Homosexual Bill (Press, 11 March 1985)
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: Voting On Homosexual Bill (Press, 11 March 1985)
On 11 March 1985, the Homosexual Law Reform Bill was introduced in the New Zealand Parliament, passing with a conscience vote of 51 in favour and 24 against. The bill seeks to decriminalise homosexual acts between consenting adults, marking a significant shift in legislation regarding LGBTQ+ rights in the country. The opposition to the bill predominantly came from National Party members, with notable critics including Mr D. A. Angus from Wallace and Mr H. N. Austin from Bay of Islands. Other opponents included Mr J. A. Banks from Whangarei and Mr W. E. Cooper from Otago, along with several other National and Social Credit party members. In contrast, the introduction of the bill was supported by a coalition of Labour and National Party members, with prominent supporters including Labour's Mrs M. D. Batchelor from Avon, Mr R. G. Boorman from Wairarapa, and Ms H. E. Clark from Mt Albert. National Party members such as Mr P. M. Dunne from Ohariu also expressed their support. The voting result showcased a divide among party lines, reflecting varying viewpoints on morality, personal freedoms, and the role of government in private lives. A notable number of members were absent or chose not to vote, including prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon and current Labour party member Mr D. R. Lange. The legislative step taken on this day signified a progression towards legal equality for homosexuals in New Zealand, amid a backdrop of evolving societal attitudes. As the bill moves forward, it is seen as a landmark effort to foster acceptance and equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in New Zealand.
Important Information
The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact
The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand