“MPs Must Protect Society’s Moral Fibre” (Press, 26 October 1985)

On 23 October 1985, debates around the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in the New Zealand Parliament were marked by strong opposition from several members of Parliament expressing views that condemned homosexuality. National Party MP Maurice McTigue from Timaru described homosexuals as "predatory beings" and urged his colleagues to vote against the bill to protect the moral fabric of society. He argued that homosexuality undermined the traditional family unit, which he saw as essential for societal stability, and asserted that anything detracting from the family would ultimately lead to societal denigration.

The bill, introduced by Wellington Central MP Fran Wilde, aimed to decriminalise consensual homosexual acts between males over the age of 16 and included protections for children under 16, as well as amendments to the Human Rights Commission Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Despite his personal views opposing homosexuality, Labour MP Frank O’Flynn indicated a willingness to support decriminalisation, pending agreement on the age of consent, which he preferred to set at 20 years. He expressed concerns about the notion that homosexuality could be seen as a valid lifestyle and critiqued the intolerance displayed by both supporters and opponents of the bill.

Other MPs voiced concerns regarding public health, specifically the implications of the bill concerning the spread of A.I.D.S. National Party MP Jim Bolger highlighted that while legalising male anal intercourse was a focus of the bill, it did not make homosexuality itself illegal. Similarly, MP John Falloon warned that the push for reform represented only the beginning of broader societal changes advocated by proponents of the bill, mentioning fears over homosexual couples seeking to adopt children and the potential for "recruitment" of gay teachers.

In response to the ongoing debates, Labour MP Dr Bill Sutton proposed an amendment to raise the age of consent from 16 to 18, aligning it with the voting age and reinforcing concerns regarding the health risks associated with anal intercourse. Sutton also signalled intentions to amend the bill's human rights provisions, seeking a clearer definition of sexual orientation.

The discussion highlighted a deep divide among MPs regarding homosexual rights and societal values, with traditional views clashing against a growing recognition of minority rights and the need for legal reform.

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