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Summary: Homosexual Law Changes (Press, 15 March 1985)
In a series of letters to the editor published on 12 and 13 March 1985, various New Zealanders expressed their views on the topic of homosexuality and the Homosexual Law Reform Bill being considered in Parliament. The letters reveal a range of opinions, reflecting tensions over morality, legality, and societal attitudes towards homosexuality. Shifra Miller, a recent immigrant, questioned the archaic views articulated in earlier letters that condemned homosexuality as “immoral” and akin to a disaster threatening society, comparing these attitudes to those of “Sodom and Gomorrah.” She contended that the private sexual practices of consenting adults should not be the concern of society and argued that attention should instead focus on the serious issue of child abuse, often perpetrated by family members. Miller called for overdue legal reform to move New Zealand into a more modern understanding of sexuality. D. Walker addressed the confusion between the concepts of crime and sin, arguing that while churches may consider homosexual acts as sinful, that does not warrant criminalisation by the state. He asserted that adultery is similarly viewed as a sin but is not punishable by law, and therefore, the same logic should apply to homosexuality. A. D. Carstairs expressed hope for legislative reform, explaining that sexual orientation is not a trend but a fundamental part of one's identity. Carstairs rejected the notion that decriminalising homosexuality would lead to an increase in its incidence. Instead, he believed it would enhance public health education and management of AIDs, which current laws inhibit. John Dobson condemned the misconceptions about homosexuality displayed in previous letters and demanded evidence for claims about the consequences of law reform related to AIDs and homosexual behaviour. He compared the patronising tone of the editorial and correspondences to oppressive regimes that deny factual education. G. R. Gibson deemed the Homosexual Law Reform Bill a reflection of misguided liberalism that he believed undermines the moral fabric of the nation. S. P. Kennedy challenged a letter writer's assertion regarding the nature of homosexuality, arguing that their views showed a lack of understanding of homosexual identity and its complexities, asserting that guilt and persecution cause more despair than sexual orientation itself. Lastly, Sue Tucker critiqued church leaders for failing to actively oppose homosexual law reform, accusing them of diluting Christian teachings, thus contributing to the perceived rise of homosexuality and moral decline in society. Overall, the correspondence illustrates a vivid debate about the intersection of law, theology, and personal autonomy in the context of homosexuality in New Zealand during the mid-1980s, highlighting social divides and emerging calls for reform.
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