Rallies, petitions, and ugly confrontations took place. Opponents warned of declining morality and the spread of Aids. In 1985, junior Member of Parliament Fran Wilde led a new attempt with her Homosexual Law Reform Bill. Nevertheless, their efforts at law reform also failed. It challenged the illegality of sex between men, but its voice went unheard.ĭuring the more liberal 70s, gay-rights activists, including lesbian groups, became more visible and vocal. In 1963, the legal sub-committee of the Dorian Society – a social club for homosexual men – formed the Homosexual Law Reform Society.
Some people left the country for more accepting communities. Sex between men was illegal, and many of the ‘guilty’ faced prison, with possible flogging and hard labour. ‘A closet is a very dangerous place to be … The more visibility we have, the safer, the stronger our community will be.’Īlison Laurie, activist, 1985 ‘Homophobic New Zealand’įor three-quarters of the 20th century, ‘coming out’ was a daunting decision for most gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in New Zealand. Despite the unrest, and earlier failed attempts at law reform, the bill passed in 1986, decriminalising homosexuality. Gay rights campaigners, including lesbian groups, clashed with opponents of the bill, who warned of declining morality and the spread of Aids. The 1985 Homosexual Law Reform Bill polarised New Zealanders.
