Homosexual Law Changes (Press, 7 October 1985)
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Summary: Homosexual Law Changes (Press, 7 October 1985)
On 7 October 1985, a series of letters were published in "The Press," addressing various perspectives on issues involving homosexuality and societal attitudes towards it. The letters highlighted a disagreement with a previous article written by Vernon Wilkinson, in which he expressed his views regarding the roles of homosexuals in educational settings. B. Roberts, a respondent, strongly objected to being misquoted by Wilkinson, asserting that the idea of assigning lesbian teachers to boys' football teams and homosexual teachers to girls' cultural tours was misrepresented. Roberts clarified that he had only suggested excursions rather than implying any gender-specific activities and emphasised his long-standing commitment to eliminating stereotypes. Another letter from David Shanks critiqued Wilkinson's arguments about homosexuality, questioning the consistency of his reasoning. Shanks highlighted the flawed logic in Wilkinson's assertion that the legality of sodomy impinges on its normality, drawing parallels to other moral dilemmas such as adultery. Arthur May contributed a broader commentary on moral hypocrisy, arguing that Christian leaders and communities are often silent on severe issues like nuclear proliferation, yet fervently oppose the decriminalisation of homosexuality. He lamented the selective expression of moral outrage, suggesting that it reflects a greater inattentiveness to Christian values of love and tolerance when it comes to minority groups. Overall, the letters encapsulated a critical discourse on the intersections of morality, sexuality, and societal expectations within New Zealand at the time, exposing entrenched stereotypes and contradictions in public attitudes toward homosexuality.
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