Homosexuality Bill (Press, 18 July 1986)

A series of letters published in "The Press" in July 1986 reflects the contentious debate surrounding the proposed homosexual law reform in New Zealand. The discourse includes a response to a previous letter written by Mr McGirr from Nelson, who called on Christians to pray and fast for God's guidance regarding the reform. Following Parliament's vote in favour of the bill, Mr McGirr suggested this outcome indicated the Lord's will had been revealed. However, he also stated that Christians should oppose any MPs who supported the legislation, leading to confusion regarding the interpretation of God's will. Letitia B. Onions from Wellington questioned the inconsistency in Mr McGirr's stance, highlighting that opposing the MPs would contradict the belief that their voting reflected God's intent. In another letter, Varian J. Wilson voiced strong criticism of the law reform, suggesting it stemmed from political factions rather than a genuine consensus on human rights. He attributed the support for reform to a coalition of feminist MPs and the influence of the homosexual community, which he viewed as a threat to societal norms. Wilson expressed concerns about potential negative societal impacts, including public displays of homosexuality and an influx of individuals associated with diseases like AIDS, implying that health authorities would struggle with the financial implications of these changes. Overall, these letters capture the polarised opinions on the homosexual law reform, illustrating the broader cultural and political tensions of the time in New Zealand.

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