Homosexuality decision

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32736, 13 October 1971, Page 17

Homosexuality decision

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) MELBOURNE, October 12. The Anglican Synod in Melbourne last night decided in favour of the legalisation of homosexual acts in private between consenting males. It thus accepted a report by its social questions committee. During a debate on the re-

port, the chairman of the committee, Mr J. F. Patrick, a Melbourne barrister, said it was estimated that 100,000 Australian Anglicans were homosexuals.

“So long as the homosexual act does not injure society, then society has no right to impose a criminal penalty upon the act,” Mr Patrick submitted.

"It is a question between an individual and God, and not between society and man.”

Mr Patrick went on to say that Anglican Church doctrine did not state definitely that homosexuality was an irretrievable sin, and the committee’s report was careful to avoid taking a line on any sinfulness of the act. "This report does not mean that we are flying the flag of homosexuality,” Mr Patrick emphasised. “It means that we are giving a lead in the way society should look at the homosexual. It is our belief that the present law is unjust, cruel and unkind to many.”

The report included conditions under which the committee recommended that homosexual acts should remain punishable by law. These included the forcing of an unwilling partner into a homosexual act; committing such an act with a person whose consent is regarded as ineffective; when the act is carried out in public; and when committed with a person under 18 years. The report said also that because of the need to maintain discipline and mutual respect in the armed services homoseuxal acts within the services should be illegal.