Young Homosexual Attraction (Press, 21 March 1985)

A national survey of homosexual men, published on 21 March 1985 by the Lesbian and Gay Rights Resource Centre, has revealed significant insights into the experiences of the homosexual community in New Zealand. The survey, which involved 427 self-identified homosexual or bisexual men and lesbians in Christchurch and Wellington, found that 69 per cent of respondents felt their first physical or sexual attraction to another male before the age of 14. Furthermore, the study indicated that 70 per cent of homosexual men under the age of 28 experienced their first significant same-sex interaction before reaching 18 years old, with 59 per cent confirming they had also engaged in heterosexual experiences. The analysis, conducted by Mr Philip Parkinson, a centre administrator, highlighted that with nearly 40 per cent of the homosexual population beginning their sexual lives by age 16, a higher age of consent would lack public credibility. The findings revealed that 70 per cent initiated their sexual experiences before the age of 18, and an overwhelming 88 per cent were sexually active prior to turning 20. The survey was conducted in various settings, including a “lesbian and gay dance,” a homosexual sauna, and a lesbian club in Wellington, as well as in Christchurch earlier in the same year. Additionally, the survey shed light on the prevalence of violence and discrimination faced by individuals in the homosexual community. Nearly one in five respondents reported having been punched, hit, kicked, or beaten due to their sexual orientation. Furthermore, approximately a third claimed to have been threatened by police, reflecting a troubling trend that surpasses similar findings in surveys conducted in the United States. This survey underscores the early onset of sexual identity experiences among homosexual men and raises important questions regarding societal attitudes and the legal framework surrounding consent in New Zealand.

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