‘Gay’ Bill Expected To Help Prisoners (Press, 15 July 1986)
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Summary: ‘Gay’ Bill Expected To Help Prisoners (Press, 15 July 1986)
The passage of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill has led to optimism among health officials regarding the lives of gay prisoners in New Zealand. Dr Richard Meech, chairman of the A.I.D.S. advisory committee, expressed that this legislative change would encourage homosexual inmates to come out of the closet and seek help regarding their health concerns. Prior to the bill's passing, the existence of homosexuality in prisons was not officially acknowledged by authorities, which restricted the ability to provide appropriate support and A.I.D.S. prevention resources. In the context of the previous legal framework, even basic health information could not be disseminated to gay inmates due to the stigma associated with homosexuality being illegal. Dr Meech pointed out that the lack of counselling and information on A.I.D.S. posed a significant risk, especially since many inmates included sexually active drug addicts who might be carriers of the virus. With the reform now in place, Dr Meech believes that prison inmates will have the freedom to discuss their sexual orientation and the fears that accompany it. He highlighted that the reform could facilitate discussions concerning health issues among incarcerated homosexual individuals, allowing social workers to provide necessary counselling and education on A.I.D.S. prevention strategies. Dr Meech’s insights underscore a hopeful shift in the prison environment, where the focus can now be on health and safety rather than secrecy and denial surrounding sexual orientation. He indicated that the advisory committee is aware of the presence of potentially high-risk behaviour within the prison population and anticipates that the new legislation will encourage inmates to seek assistance for their substance abuse and sexual health concerns. The overall sentiment reflects a move towards addressing health issues openly, particularly those related to A.I.D.S., now that previous barriers have been removed.
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