Call To A.I.D.S. Test All Couples About To Marry (Press, 2 July 1985)

On 2 July 1985, concerns were raised in Wellington over the implications of the proposed Homosexual Law Reform Bill in relation to the AIDS epidemic. Opponents of the legislation urged Dr. Bassett, the Minister of Health, to implement mandatory blood testing for couples intending to marry, portraying it as a measure to help contain the spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Barry Reed, the press officer for the anti-homosexual law reform campaign, argued that the potential health risks associated with AIDS needed to be more widely acknowledged in discussions surrounding the bill. Mr. Reed contended that compulsory blood testing would serve as a safeguard to prevent the potential transmission of the AIDS virus, particularly to children. He highlighted that individuals may unknowingly carry the virus due to previous sexual encounters, thereby posing a risk of infection to offspring. Furthermore, the campaign also proposed that individuals diagnosed with AIDS should be isolated in hospitals, insisting that this step was necessary for public health. Reed stated that the current practice of allowing diagnosed individuals to return to the community raised serious concerns about public safety. In response to these calls, the Gay Taskforce condemned the advocacy for isolation, labelling it as rooted in ignorance and bias against the LGBTQ+ community. Bill Logan, a spokesperson for the Taskforce, emphasised that a significant proportion of individuals exposed to the virus remain healthy for several years and that the focus should be directed towards education about the disease, rather than unnecessary hospitalisation. Logan argued that the suggestion of isolating individuals with AIDS not only displayed a misunderstanding of the disease but also represented a risk of misallocating healthcare resources that could be better utilised for preventative education efforts. The discourse around AIDS and the law reform was indicative of broader societal tensions during that period, as discussions surrounding sexuality, health, and public policy continued to evolve. The Ministry of Health indicated that Dr. Bassett had received the telegram and would address the campaign’s demands in a timely manner, further highlighting the ongoing debate over health policy in the context of the AIDS crisis and the rights of the homosexual community.

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