Gay Task Force Holds Talks (Press, 3 September 1985)

On 3 September 1985, the Gay Task Force raised concerns about anti-gay campaigners in New Zealand who were allegedly sending local fundamentalists to the United States for training in tactics employed by the Moral Majority, a prominent conservative Christian political organisation. This revelation emerged during a weekend conference held in Wellington, which was attended by approximately 160 homosexual men and women. The conference served as a platform to discuss various issues, including the influence of American-based religious extremism on local anti-homosexual campaigns. Activist Alison Laurie informed attendees that at least three fundamentalists from New Zealand had travelled to the United States for this purpose. She highlighted that one individual, now actively working against homosexual law reform in New Zealand, had adopted a "home party" technique gleaned from practices in Texas. This technique was reportedly used to disseminate a “vicious kit full of misinformation” targeting lesbians and gays. The conference participants also critically examined the support for apartheid recently expressed by the leader of the Moral Majority, indicating a broader concern regarding the ideological connections between anti-gay sentiments and conservative political movements in the United States. Overall, the gathering underscored the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in New Zealand amidst the backdrop of international influence and local fundamentalist activism.

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