Maureen Reagan Criticises U.S. Govt Action (Press, 15 July 1985)
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Summary: Maureen Reagan Criticises U.S. Govt Action (Press, 15 July 1985)
On 15 July 1985, Maureen Reagan, daughter of President Ronald Reagan, publicly criticized United States Attorney-General Edwin Meese for withholding a significant grant of $562,500 (approximately $3 million New Zealand dollars) intended for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which operates shelters for battered women. Ms Reagan's criticism was rooted in the assertion by conservative groups that the organisation promotes lesbianism, a claim she described as “patently absurd.” Her comments were made during a briefing at the State Department, where she was addressing the upcoming international women's conference in Nairobi, of which she is the chair. Maureen Reagan highlighted her concerns after identifying domestic violence as a critical topic that the United States delegation wished to discuss at the conference. A reporter inquired about her views regarding Meese's decision, prompting her to reflect on the long-standing misconceptions surrounding women's shelters. Reagan pointed out that such shelters have often been mischaracterised as mere "rest and relaxation" centres for discontented housewives, rather than places providing essential services in response to a severe social issue. She underlined that domestic violence is a serious problem affecting not only women but also children across the country. She emphasised that the perception that domestic violence is an acceptable consequence of marriage is fundamentally flawed, stating, “It does not.” The controversy arose after Meese commenced a review of the grant due to concerns raised by several conservative individuals, including members of Congress, about the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s focus on lesbian issues. This tension highlighted the broader societal struggles regarding domestic violence and the support systems aimed at addressing it, revealing a stark divide between progressive views on women's rights and conservative positions on gender and sexuality.
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