Call for 20 p.c. ‘gay’ seats in House

Press, 22 June 1985, Page 7

Call for 20 p.c. ‘gay’ seats in House

PA Wellington Homosexual men and women should be allocated 20 per cent of the seats in Parliament, the Statutes Revision Committee was has been told. A Wellington group, Lesbian Liberation Health, said such members should be able to veto any legislation which would affect homosexuals. The group supports the bill. The committee has been hearing submissions on the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, which aims to decriminalise sexual activity between consenting adult

males over the age of 16. In its submission, the group suggested other amendments to the bill, including the setting up of a lesbian and homosexual electoral roll, similar to the present Maori roll. All Government departments should adopt the principle of a 10 per cent minimum quota of lesbians and homosexuals among employees, the group said. Ten per cent of Government revenue should be used to fund welfare and education services “as defined as necessary by the lesbian and gay communities.”

A lesbian and homosexual tribunal staffed by lesbians and homosexual men to judge complaints of past discriminations and oppression should also be established. Such a tribunal would be empowered to obtain redress from people found guilty of violating homosexual rights. The group also wanted all employers to provide or arrange education for their workers on homosexuality, including “the many achievements and contributions of lesbians and gay men to society.”