"Public tolerance" of homosexuality

Press, 19 October 1978, Page 13

"Public tolerance" of homosexuality

Sir, —To Mr Wilson’s comments on homosexuals in mental institutions (October 16) I would suggest that most of them would be there whether they were heterosexual, asexual, or whatever their sexual orientation: their homosexuality not being the prime cause. For those to whom it is, I would suggest it is because of fear of being discovered, of losing jobs and accommodation, of being unable to tell people close to themselves (including parents, relatives, or to introduce these people to their boy or girl-friends), fear of ostracism, or of being no longer regarded as a “normal” person but to become overnight sick and lonely. Considering society’s negative and often degrading [attitudes to homosexuals it [is surprising there are not more in mental institutions, I perhaps it is a credit to Gay Liberation and other gay orleanisations which give the respect and support that they find so lacking in the heterosexual world once they have come out. — Yours, etc., J. STEWART. October 16, 1978.

Sir, — I should very much like to know why Mike Waghorne says that “most. New Zealanders support homosexuality and are well informed about it.” To imagine that decent folk regard these practices as normal would, I am sure, be way off the mark. I am getting rather tired of reading about these minorities wanting others to wear labels. I object to being called Ms instead of Mrs, and person instead of woman. I wonder what homosexuals will want to label normal people next. It is no good saying that homosexuals are normal, well adjusted, and happy people when thev are given money from rhe Mental Health Foundation’s telethon appeal for Gayline telephone services. How many contributors know that their hardearned cash is going to this cause? I must protest about this. — Yours, etc.,

(Mrs) N. R. RAINE. October 18, 1978.

Sir, — Having been exclusively on the gay scene for some 27 years 1 fee! that I am much more qualified to talk on the subject than Mr Wilson, and rebut his views a being biased and untrue. I have met many thousands of gay people in different countries over the years and am having great difficulty counting the homosexual child molesters on two hands, but no difficulty counting heterosexual ones. Mr Wilson also claims that he has met many gays in mental hospitals. Having had experience in mental hospitals mvself, and training as a psychiatric and psychonedic nurse, I wonder where all these gav people were hidden as I did not see verv many at all. The ones I did see were invariably there because they could not function in a society of people with the attitudes of V. J. Wilson. I thank God he is not in the majority any longer. V. J. Wilson says he has never harmed one of us, by writing as he does he harms us more than the physical violence that we are sometimes subjected to. Gay people are human, and as such are entitled to human rights and human dignity. — Yours, etc., JACKIE JOHNSTONE. October 16, 1978.