Homosexual law changes

Press, 27 May 1985, Page 20

Homosexual law changes

Sir,—The Human Rights Commission, in supporting the Hcrmo-

sexual Reform Bill, is contradicting its own decision of December 22, 1980 — “It is the view of the commission that homosexuality cannot be regarded as a status by any analogy with race, colour, sex, language or the other terms used in the article” (of the United Nations Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights). In abandoning moral absolutes, the commission makes “human rights” relative to the membership of the commission at any given time. The commission is not an independent body, but speaking in favour of legislation on which it would act as prosecutor, judge and jury. This tax-funded exercise is undertaken by commissioners whom the people have not elected. — Yours, etc., J. NIHONIHO. May 23, 1985. Sir,—With the fourth death from A.I.D.S. in this country, we must consider the impact of making New Zealand the pederasty haven of the South Pacific. Bringing homosexuals “out of the closet” is supposed to facilitate control of those spreading the plague; but there are no plans to register all likely carriers. Will tourists and other visitors be required to register and submit blood samples, and will there be penalties for not declaring their A.I.D.S. capabilities? There should be penalties, too, for those not wishing to go public for various reasons. With privacy safeguarded, these should not be permitted neither to confirm nor deny their exposure to the disease. Dr Janet Say, our expert, says, “If everyone had one partner, and one partner only, the A.I.D.S. epidemic would halt immediately.” No gays, whether restricted or let loose on us, will ever play that game. — Yours, etc., VARIAN J. WILSON. May 24, 1985.