Death Threat To M.P. Over Homosexual Law Reform (Press, 28 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: Death Threat To M.P. Over Homosexual Law Reform (Press, 28 March 1985)
A recent threat against Fran Wilde, a Member of Parliament advocating for homosexual law reform in New Zealand, has raised serious concerns. Wilde received an anonymous letter that threatened her with death or serious injury due to her support for the legislation. She reported the letter to the police, expressing that it was one of many disturbing messages she has received, some of which come from individuals identifying as Christians who use biblical references to attack her personally. Wilde indicated the need for a more constructive public discussion to lessen the emotional intensity surrounding the issue of homosexual law reform. She also critiqued those backing a petition opposing the amendments, pointing out a contradiction in their argument. They claim that minors as young as 12 or 13 are mature enough to sign a petition while simultaneously asserting that adults should not have the autonomy to determine their own sexual orientation. The involvement of the Salvation Army in this debate has also drawn Wilde's disappointment. Some individuals associated with the Salvation Army have expressed discontent with the organisation's stance and questioned the discussions that took place prior to its engagement in the issue. Wilde lamented that the Salvation Army, historically viewed as compassionate and humane, has chosen to take this position against homosexual law reform. Additionally, Wilde defended her remarks regarding how petitions are often circulated in schools, countering claims that her observations were unfounded. She noted a troubling trend where high school and college students are pressured into signing petitions without fully understanding the implications. One instance she recounted involved a petition presented at a girls' college, where subsequent reflections from students revealed regret over their signatures. These students had been misled into believing the petition aimed to safeguard New Zealand's health. The ongoing harassment Wilde faces reflects wider societal tensions regarding homosexuality and its legal status in New Zealand, as opponents of reform seek to rally public support through various channels, including targeting young people in educational institutions.
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