Suicide Considered (Press, 7 September 1985)
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Summary: Suicide Considered (Press, 7 September 1985)
On 7 September 1985, a Parliamentary Select Committee in Auckland heard distressing testimonies from young homosexual men about the profound impacts of societal rejection related to their sexual orientation. The emotional accounts shared by these men highlighted the severe toll that discrimination and bullying have taken on their mental health, with two of the witnesses revealing that they had contemplated suicide as an escape from their struggles. Fear Brampton described his experience of being subjected to “queer baiting” at school, which left him feeling subhuman and led him to alter his behaviour, adopting a more masculine persona to avoid ridicule. He shared that, in an effort to conceal his true self, he would laugh at homophobic jokes and fabricate stories about having girlfriends. Despite these efforts, the facade proved too burdensome, leading him to frequently contemplate suicide. Brampton expressed a desire to flee to a country with more accepting laws, but he never acted on this thought, instead enduring what he called an "intolerable closet existence." Twenty-year-old John Fromont recounted his ongoing battle with feelings of withdrawal and self-consciousness stemming from being mocked for his sexual orientation. He reflected on the internal conflict he experienced between his desires and society’s perceived norms, which further exacerbated his sense of isolation. Another witness, Sandy Gauntlett, spoke about his journey towards self-acceptance, revealing that it was only after coming to terms with his sexuality that he was able to overcome a decade-long struggle with intravenous drug addiction. The testimonies from Brampton, Fromont, and Gauntlett underscore the urgent need for homosexual law reform as they shed light on the mental health challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in New Zealand. Their stories of pain, struggle, and eventual acceptance highlight the damaging effects of societal rejection and the importance of creating a more inclusive environment for individuals of all sexual orientations.
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