Homosexual Law Changes (Press, 2 April 1985)

In letters published in response to a previous commentary on homosexuality, various authors express their opinions and concerns regarding societal attitudes toward homosexuality and the proposed legislation surrounding it. R. E. Turner responds to a letter by Gregory Smith, who argued from a biblical perspective against homosexuality. Turner contends that such beliefs contribute to societal violence, particularly against women. He proposes organizing a petition to have the Bible declared illegal, highlighting his concern over the implications of viewing women solely as entities created for men's needs. Alan Wilkinson discusses an incident he witnessed in a fish and chip shop, where he observed fathers using violence instead of affection with their sons. He recalls Helen Brown’s article on suburban violence and argues for a more compassionate understanding of love and relationships. Wilkinson advocates for the repeal of laws against male homosexuality, suggesting that societal attitudes should shift towards respecting genuine affectionate relationships rather than outlawing them. He further critiques societal norms that hold certain groups, such as Christians and heterosexuals, to lower standards of legal scrutiny compared to homosexuals, emphasizing that all New Zealanders should feel loved. Varian J. Wilson expresses skepticism about the claims of a “vast majority” of homosexual men living hidden lives, criticizing the lack of genuine representation in discussions about law reform. He raises concerns about a lack of male participation in interviews regarding the legal treatment of homosexuality and suggests that the portrayal of homosexuals has often been sensationalised rather than accurately depicted. Lastly, L. J. Cooper shares his experience gathering signatures against Fran Wilde's bill supporting homosexual law reform. He reports that he garnered significant support from neighbours for the petition, noting that many were eager to sign after learning about specific aspects of the proposed bill, particularly concerning minors and consent. Overall, the letters reflect a diverse array of opinions on the topic of homosexuality and related legal reforms, underlining a societal struggle with accepting different forms of love and the implications of existing laws.

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