Imprisonment Figures For Homosexuality (Press, 28 March 1985)

On 1 March 1985, thirteen New Zealand citizens were imprisoned for homosexual offences, a statistic sought by Parliament opposition member Mr Geoff Braybrooke, who is against the reform of homosexual laws. The Minister of Justice, Mr Palmer, provided historical data on individuals imprisoned for homosexual activities from 1979 to 1983. The reported figures for each year are as follows: In 1979, a total of 23 individuals were imprisoned: six for sodomy, twelve for indecency between males, and five for indecency between a man and a boy. The following year, 1980, saw a decrease with 15 persons imprisoned, comprising two for sodomy, twelve for indecency between males, and one for indecency involving a man and a boy. In 1981, the numbers dropped further, with eight imprisonments: one for sodomy, five for indecency between males, and two for indecency between a man and a boy. The trend of low imprisonment numbers continued in 1982, where eight individuals were imprisoned: six for sodomy and one each for indecency between males and indecency involving a man and a boy. However, in 1983, there was a notable increase, with 18 individuals imprisoned: twelve for sodomy, three for indecency between males, and three for indecency involving a man and a boy. Overall, over the five-year period from 1979 to 1983, the total number of imprisonments for these offences reached 72, broken down as follows: 27 for sodomy, 33 for indecency between males, and 12 for indecency between a man and a boy. Mr Palmer noted that the figures for 1984 had not yet been compiled.

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