Support For ‘gay’ Law Reform —poll (Press, 9 October 1985)
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Summary: Support For ‘gay’ Law Reform —poll (Press, 9 October 1985)
A recent poll in the Selwyn electorate indicates growing support for the reform of homosexual legislation. Conducted through 3,000 questionnaires distributed between August and September 1985, the poll garnered 599 responses, as reported by Member of Parliament Ruth Richardson from the National Party. The first question addressed whether homosexual acts between consenting adults in private should remain a criminal offence. The results revealed that 345 respondents, representing 58.47 percent, believed such acts should not be criminalised, while 245 respondents, or 41.53 percent, thought they should continue to be illegal. The poll also explored public opinion on the appropriate age of consent for homosexual acts. There were varying responses: 89 people, accounting for 21.65 percent, supported an age of consent at 16 years, 137 individuals (33.33 percent) favoured 18 years, and 185 respondents (45.07 percent) preferred an age of 20 years. Another significant question addressed whether discrimination based on sexual orientation should be prohibited. In this instance, 227 respondents, or 38.41 percent, agreed that such discrimination should be outlawed. However, a larger majority of 364 respondents, representing 61.59 percent, opposed the idea of making such discrimination illegal. The survey sought to reflect the views of an equal number of men (260) and women (262) from the urban parts of Richardson's electorate, specifically Oaklands and Halswell. Richardson emphasised the importance of understanding urban perspectives, suggesting that urban opinions have considerable influence in New Zealand's political landscape.
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