Boycott Proposed (Press, 16 September 1985)

On 16 September 1985, Miss Patricia Bartlett, a prominent figure in New Zealand's Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, publicly called for a boycott of supermarkets that begin selling condoms. The Health Department announced that condoms would now be available on supermarket shelves as part of a strategy to help limit the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. Miss Bartlett expressed strong objections to this move, arguing that supermarkets have traditionally been viewed as family-friendly environments where children could shop free from exposure to offensive products and materials. She highlighted concerns over the packaging of the condoms, which she noted features images of couples embracing, suggesting that such displays would inevitably attract the attention of shoppers of all ages, including children. According to Bartlett, the visibility required to promote condom sales would compromise the family-oriented nature of supermarkets, as condom displays would need to be prominent to effectively compete with other retailers, such as pharmacies. In light of this, she urged the 800,000 New Zealanders who previously supported the Homosexual Law Reform Petition to join her in the boycott. She warned that if these individuals withdrew their patronage from the supermarkets in question, it could lead to significant financial repercussions for those stores.

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