Homosexual Law Changes (Press, 15 April 1985)

In April 1985, the discussion surrounding the Homosexual Law Reform Bill intensified, prompting public letters highlighting various concerns and perspectives. Anthony M. Gray wrote a letter to the editor expressing apprehensions that the passing of the bill could lead to significant societal changes. He pointed out that if the bill were enacted, it might allow homosexuals to adopt children, which he viewed as a potential shift in social norms. Furthermore, he suggested that homosexuality could be taught as a normal sexual practice in school curriculums, similar to heterosexuality, thereby normalising it in the view of children. He mentioned the potential for the Human Rights Commission to enforce such educational changes, indicating a considerable impact on societal attitudes towards homosexuality. In another letter, Varian J. Wilson responded to a recent headline and the public's understanding of AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). He critiqued a misleading statement that suggested a low risk of AIDS, arguing that such assertions could offer false comfort to those with inappropriate intentions. He countered Ms Fran Wilde's characterisation of the opponents of the bill as "ill-informed" and noted that her perspective on the issue seemed to focus on “human friendship,” which he thought overlooked the complexities of the disease. Wilson highlighted statistics indicating a higher prevalence of the HIV virus among haemophiliacs in the region and presented concerns about the transmission risks associated with male homosexual behaviour. He expressed that the nature of male homosexuality involved risks due to the potential for blood transmission during sexual contact, emphasising that the contact could be both promiscuous and perverted. Together, these letters encapsulate the heated debate within New Zealand's society at the time, reflecting the tension between evolving social values regarding homosexuality and concerns about public health implications, particularly in relation to AIDS.

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