Homosexual law changes

Press, 18 March 1985, Page 18

Homosexual law changes

Sir,—ls it not contradictory that a Government making such a moral stand on the nuclear issue, should turn around and present the Homosexual Law Reform Bill? Homosexuality is not normal human behaviour, but stems from an inadequacy. There is one interesting aspect to legalising homosexual acts. I wonder if any rape reform acts will follow? Perhaps some men may find out at first hand, what rape is really about. It would be just as difficult to determine whether the victim was consenting or not. The problem would no longer be one of promiscuity in women, but in men as well. I’ll bet attitudes change then.—Yours, etc., D. CHILTON (Miss). March 13, 1985. Sir,—Mr Geoff Braybrooke (Labour, Napier) is reported as saying that he supports any law that strengthens family life. Some of the most tragic and difficult cases that gay welfare agencies have to cope with are those people who have married for conformist reasons. After months or years of marriage they realise they can no longer cope with living a lie. It is estimated that in New Zealand up to 50 per cent of homosexuals are married. The marriage break-ups that often result from this situation cannot strengthen family life. The decriminalisation of male homosexual acts is one step towards freeing people to make a choice whether to marry, based on selfawareness and lack of outside pressure. There would then be fewer marriages based on false premises, fewer marriage breakups. Family life as a whole in New Zealand would then be strengthened. Mr Braybrooke should be supporting the bill, not opposing it.—Yours, etc., HUGH GAW. March 14, 1985.