Homosexual law changes

Press, 24 June 1985, Page 12

Homosexual law changes

Sir,—On June 19 Mr Tony Steele, president of the New Zealand Post-Primary Teachers’ Association, expressed the association’s full support for homosexual law reform. Mr Steele claims his mandate comes from existing policies on equal opportunity and attitudes toward minority groups. I point out that the full membership was not consulted nor asked to offer opinions on this most contentious and important issue. I am an active member of the P.P.T.A. and do not believe Mr Steele has either mandate or right to make public statements in the name of his members on what is essentially a moral issue with many far-reach-ing consequences. As one of the moderate majority within the P.P.T.A., I dissociate myself from both Mr Steele’s statement and any view favouring the passing of the bill.- Yours, etc., GERRY BROWNLEE. June 20, 1985.

Sir,—Opponents of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill claim that almost one million people have signed their petition. We find it frightening that so many New Zealanders have been taken in by the sort of lies and propaganda that Hitler used to persecute homosexuals. Fortunately some of the hypocrisy of the campaign is now being publicised. For example, the organisers consider that 16 is too young for a person to choose his own sexual orientation, but do not consider school children, including many under 16, too young to sign a petition which aims to severely limit the choice of others. How can those who are opposed to this bill be indifferent to the real moral diseases of our society, namely rape and incest? These are sexual acts in which one participant has no choice, yet the bill’s opponents choose to bury their heads in the sand and pretend it does not happen. — Yours, etc., lAN ROWLAND and YVONNE HOLMES. June 19, 1985.

Sir,—Mark D. Sadler misses the point about homosexuality and law reform (“The Press,” June 21). He says the age of consent should be raised to 20 “to give young men time to succeed with girls before being subjected to too much pressure from homosexuals.” Quite

apart from how girls (and women) might feel about being cast in the role of being objects to be sexually “succeeded” with, there are the feelings and needs of young homosexual men to consider. Putting aside Mr Sadler’s quoted scientific research findings, the results of which are always suspiciously ad hoc, the fact remains that my early experience of heterosexuality, like many other homosexuals’ experiences under duress of social and other pressures, was distressing to all concerned. Hurt and misery might be saved if homosexuality were legally accepted on the same terms as heterosexuality as a valid form of sexual expression. That accomplished, societal attitudes might one day follow law changes—Yours, etc., ERICK W. BLACK. Wellington, June 21, 1985.

Sir,—The Homosexual Law Reform Bill is a giant step towards producing a totally permissive New Zealand society. The permissive society has already produced increasing family breakdown and rising levels of venereal disease. The permissive or promiscuous society can be turned back by a society with the courage to say “No” to this bill.—Yours, etc., JOHN G. FREEMAN. June 19, 1985.