M.P. Hits Out At Reform Critics (Press, 18 July 1985)

On 18 July 1985, Ms Fran Wilde, the Member of Parliament for Wellington Central, strongly criticised opponents of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, asserting that their views posed a threat to public health. Wilde, who is sponsoring the bill, responded to comments made by Invercargill MP Norman Jones, who had expressed firm opposition to the reform and linked it to the AIDS epidemic. Jones claimed that a significant number of patients at Auckland's venereal disease clinic had AIDS antibodies, a statement that Wilde dismissed as "preposterous." During a Budget debate, Wilde emphasised that all sexually active individuals are at risk of sexually transmitted infections, including AIDS. She highlighted that public awareness and medical action on AIDS only escalated when it began to affect predominantly white and affluent Americans. This observation was aimed at demonstrating the misinformation surrounding the disease and the importance of timely and accurate health education. Wilde accused Jones and others who oppose the reform of spreading disinformation about AIDS, arguing that such rhetoric is harmful and undermines public health initiatives. She contended that if these critics were genuinely concerned about public health, they should refrain from making damaging statements. Wilde positioned her advocacy for the Homosexual Law Reform Bill as a necessary step towards addressing misinformation and enhancing health education in the context of the AIDS crisis.

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