Causes
An increase in homosexual convictions
Towards the end of the 1950’s and early 1960’s, the number of convictions of homosexual men arrested for ‘indecent assault’ increased heavily as a result of a number of factors. Firstly, levels of police aggression rose considerably, as they became more eager and to catch gay individuals. This led to policemen actively harrasing people they saw to be potential offenders, including entrapping men in situations such as soliciting in public toilets. Gay individuals felt threatened by this intense upturn in police activity, and many came to live in fear of conviction as a result of police hounding. Interestingly, this police behaviour was in fact in stark contrast to the actions of the state. Those charged with homosexual crimes were commonly discharged, and if punished it was often no more than a fine. Despite this apparent softening of the law, homosexual men could still receive a prison term of 3-10 months if found guilty of ‘indecent assault’. Despite this relatively minor sentence, many gay individuals reported that they felt degraded and devalued by being sent to jail at all, regardless of the sentence. This led to many homosexual individuals living in fear of imprisonment, and many individuals said they felt their dignity would erode if they were to be arrested at all, regardless of the eventual outcome. As a result of this many homosexuals suppressed their orientation in fear of both the police and, more importantly, of what society would perceive of them. An example of this suppression of New Zealand’s famous writers, Norris Davey, better known by his pen name Frank Sargeson. The reason Davey felt compelled to write under a separate alias was for fear that he would be discovered and arrested for his homosexual orientation. This illuminates the fearsome reality homosexuals lived in previous to law reform. Overall the increase in convications played a huge role in Homosexual law reforming in New Zealand. The ruthlessness of the police force accompanied with the seemingly unfair legislation for homosexuals led members of New Zealand society to question the seemingly egalitarian utopia they thought they were a part of. Many New Zealanders joined the movement for reform, realising the wholly unjust situation many homosexuals were living in.
Towards the end of the 1950’s and early 1960’s, the number of convictions of homosexual men arrested for ‘indecent assault’ increased heavily as a result of a number of factors. Firstly, levels of police aggression rose considerably, as they became more eager and to catch gay individuals. This led to policemen actively harrasing people they saw to be potential offenders, including entrapping men in situations such as soliciting in public toilets. Gay individuals felt threatened by this intense upturn in police activity, and many came to live in fear of conviction as a result of police hounding. Interestingly, this police behaviour was in fact in stark contrast to the actions of the state. Those charged with homosexual crimes were commonly discharged, and if punished it was often no more than a fine. Despite this apparent softening of the law, homosexual men could still receive a prison term of 3-10 months if found guilty of ‘indecent assault’. Despite this relatively minor sentence, many gay individuals reported that they felt degraded and devalued by being sent to jail at all, regardless of the sentence. This led to many homosexual individuals living in fear of imprisonment, and many individuals said they felt their dignity would erode if they were to be arrested at all, regardless of the eventual outcome. As a result of this many homosexuals suppressed their orientation in fear of both the police and, more importantly, of what society would perceive of them. An example of this suppression of New Zealand’s famous writers, Norris Davey, better known by his pen name Frank Sargeson. The reason Davey felt compelled to write under a separate alias was for fear that he would be discovered and arrested for his homosexual orientation. This illuminates the fearsome reality homosexuals lived in previous to law reform. Overall the increase in convications played a huge role in Homosexual law reforming in New Zealand. The ruthlessness of the police force accompanied with the seemingly unfair legislation for homosexuals led members of New Zealand society to question the seemingly egalitarian utopia they thought they were a part of. Many New Zealanders joined the movement for reform, realising the wholly unjust situation many homosexuals were living in.
Influence of feminism
Another event which strongly influenced homosexual law reform in New Zealand was the second wave of feminism and societal ideals that were modified as a result of it. The feminist movement strived to achieve an equal perception for women in society. Their main goals were to achieve equal pay and job opportunities as men, as well as to end violence and sexual objectification towards women. What this essentially led to was society rethinking gender roles and the molds into which males and females were locked into. Women who entered the workforce and took on seemingly male-only jobs such as engineering and science challenged societal perceptions and caused individuals to become more accepting towards changing social norms. In many ways this released men from the expectation of them to be the ‘breadwinner’ of society and lifted the burdens of expectations that had previously been upon them. Men were freed from society telling them how to live their lives, and this paved the road for many homosexuals who had previously suppressed their orientation out of fear of society’s judgement. Many homosexuals felt more comfortable in a society where they were not expected to conform to a certain orientation or job, and this society had been somewhat realised through the feminist movement and the changing perceptions of women in society. Due to their similar desires, the homosexual reform movement and feminist movement were originally very close, however disagreements in the late 1980’s would see the homosexual reform movement move away in order to fulfill its own more specific goals in society.
Another event which strongly influenced homosexual law reform in New Zealand was the second wave of feminism and societal ideals that were modified as a result of it. The feminist movement strived to achieve an equal perception for women in society. Their main goals were to achieve equal pay and job opportunities as men, as well as to end violence and sexual objectification towards women. What this essentially led to was society rethinking gender roles and the molds into which males and females were locked into. Women who entered the workforce and took on seemingly male-only jobs such as engineering and science challenged societal perceptions and caused individuals to become more accepting towards changing social norms. In many ways this released men from the expectation of them to be the ‘breadwinner’ of society and lifted the burdens of expectations that had previously been upon them. Men were freed from society telling them how to live their lives, and this paved the road for many homosexuals who had previously suppressed their orientation out of fear of society’s judgement. Many homosexuals felt more comfortable in a society where they were not expected to conform to a certain orientation or job, and this society had been somewhat realised through the feminist movement and the changing perceptions of women in society. Due to their similar desires, the homosexual reform movement and feminist movement were originally very close, however disagreements in the late 1980’s would see the homosexual reform movement move away in order to fulfill its own more specific goals in society.
Change in beliefs in the fields of psychiatry and religion
Homosexual law reform in New Zealand was also significantly impacted by attitudes regarding homosexuality from religious and psychiatric professionals, which helped sway public opinion. The religious attitude homosexuality had traditionally been antagonistic, inspired by scripture readings which appeared homophobic in their nature - Leviticus 18:22 states "Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin." As a result of this, the large Christian population in New Zealand generally stood against homosexuality also. However during this time of reform there was some rethinking by sections of the Christian religion, and theological thinking began to question the current stance. Prominent Christian author Derrick Bailey published ‘Homosexuality and the Western Christian Tradition’ , which presented arguments that God had no problem with those in homosexual relationships. Publications and teachings such as this led to increased consent amongst the New Zealand public that sex between men should be decriminalized. As a result of these teachings, different Christian churches around New Zealand began to soften their, becoming more accepting of homosexuals. This led to increased support for reform amongst a New Zealand public who were largely Catholic at the time. The departure in teachings eventually became so significant that the Methodist Church made the decision to publicly support homosexual law reform in 1961. Following this, the Anglican Church shifted to a more moderate stance, indicating to its followers that homosexuals should be displayed an attitude of acceptance rather than condemnation – Christians should display a ‘willingness to help.’ This major departure in religious teachings saw many people around New Zealand become more accepting of homosexual individuals and law reforms which sought to authenticate their orientation. Whilst religion played a significant role in homosexual law reform in New Zealand, changes in psychiatry also affected the New Zealand public and their stance on this issue. In the 1950s and 60s, judges began to write off homosexuality all together and send gay individuals to a psychiatrist to be ‘cured.’ The treatments were in many ways horrific – involving electric shock therapy, injections of pentathol and emetic substances. Supporters of homosexual reform viewed these actions as inappropriate and degrading to gay individuals, and as a result their stance on the issue was hardened. However the majority of New Zealanders did not have their beliefs affected by psychiatry until The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) removed homosexuality from its classification system in 1973. This accompanied with the attitude of many psychiatrists who shifted to supporting homosexuality rather than suppresing it, led to many members of the New Zealand public softening their stance on homosexual law reform and a changed societal perception of gay individuals.
Homosexual law reform in New Zealand was also significantly impacted by attitudes regarding homosexuality from religious and psychiatric professionals, which helped sway public opinion. The religious attitude homosexuality had traditionally been antagonistic, inspired by scripture readings which appeared homophobic in their nature - Leviticus 18:22 states "Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin." As a result of this, the large Christian population in New Zealand generally stood against homosexuality also. However during this time of reform there was some rethinking by sections of the Christian religion, and theological thinking began to question the current stance. Prominent Christian author Derrick Bailey published ‘Homosexuality and the Western Christian Tradition’ , which presented arguments that God had no problem with those in homosexual relationships. Publications and teachings such as this led to increased consent amongst the New Zealand public that sex between men should be decriminalized. As a result of these teachings, different Christian churches around New Zealand began to soften their, becoming more accepting of homosexuals. This led to increased support for reform amongst a New Zealand public who were largely Catholic at the time. The departure in teachings eventually became so significant that the Methodist Church made the decision to publicly support homosexual law reform in 1961. Following this, the Anglican Church shifted to a more moderate stance, indicating to its followers that homosexuals should be displayed an attitude of acceptance rather than condemnation – Christians should display a ‘willingness to help.’ This major departure in religious teachings saw many people around New Zealand become more accepting of homosexual individuals and law reforms which sought to authenticate their orientation. Whilst religion played a significant role in homosexual law reform in New Zealand, changes in psychiatry also affected the New Zealand public and their stance on this issue. In the 1950s and 60s, judges began to write off homosexuality all together and send gay individuals to a psychiatrist to be ‘cured.’ The treatments were in many ways horrific – involving electric shock therapy, injections of pentathol and emetic substances. Supporters of homosexual reform viewed these actions as inappropriate and degrading to gay individuals, and as a result their stance on the issue was hardened. However the majority of New Zealanders did not have their beliefs affected by psychiatry until The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) removed homosexuality from its classification system in 1973. This accompanied with the attitude of many psychiatrists who shifted to supporting homosexuality rather than suppresing it, led to many members of the New Zealand public softening their stance on homosexual law reform and a changed societal perception of gay individuals.
Overseas Influence
New Zealand’s campaign of social change for homosexuals was also honed and supported by other nations who were undergoing homosexual reform of their own. For example the Gay Liberation Front and the Stonewall Riots in the USA had a significant impact on reform in New Zealand. The Stonewall Riots occurred on the 28th June 1969, when a group of police raided a demonstration of gay pride at Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York – a bar famous for its prominence in the gay community. However tensions quickly escalated and the police soon lost control of the situation as gay protestors erupted with a wave of violent and impulsive protests, which continued over the following nights. This inspired village residents to stand up for their homosexuality and establish places where gays could be open about their sexual orientation whilst being free of the fear that they would be arrested. These riots became a symbolic act which sparked homosexuals in New Zealand to take up action and protest against the government to grant them the rights they deserved. The worldwide gay liberation movement which was born out of the Stonewall Riots eventually led to the establishment of New Zealand’s very own gay liberation movement in 1972.
New Zealand’s campaign of social change for homosexuals was also honed and supported by other nations who were undergoing homosexual reform of their own. For example the Gay Liberation Front and the Stonewall Riots in the USA had a significant impact on reform in New Zealand. The Stonewall Riots occurred on the 28th June 1969, when a group of police raided a demonstration of gay pride at Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York – a bar famous for its prominence in the gay community. However tensions quickly escalated and the police soon lost control of the situation as gay protestors erupted with a wave of violent and impulsive protests, which continued over the following nights. This inspired village residents to stand up for their homosexuality and establish places where gays could be open about their sexual orientation whilst being free of the fear that they would be arrested. These riots became a symbolic act which sparked homosexuals in New Zealand to take up action and protest against the government to grant them the rights they deserved. The worldwide gay liberation movement which was born out of the Stonewall Riots eventually led to the establishment of New Zealand’s very own gay liberation movement in 1972.
Prejudice and the death of Charles Aberhart
Another significant cause of homosexual law reform in New Zealand was the awful prejudice and societal intolerance of homosexuals that existed in New Zealand. Gay individuals were often ridiculed and mocked by individuals, and at times they were even openly shown hatred. They were often physically attacked and could be fired from their jobs if they were discovered to be homosexual. What is considerably worse though is that the uncovering of their sexuality could even lead to abandonment by their families and friends. This awful climate for homosexuals led to many individuals hiding and denying their sexuality for fear of society’s punishment. The physical attacks on these men could even result in deaths, as in the tragic case of Charles Aberhart. In 1964 Aberhart, a homosexual, was attacked by six youths who beat him to the point of death via a brain hemorrhage. The six young men tried to explain their actions by simply stating they had felt like ‘bashing a queer’. When the case when to court, the jury decided on a verdict of not guilty, and the six boys were acquitted of the crime. This decision left many members of the New Zealand public stunned; it appeared as though New Zealand had a legal system which did not condemn the murder of homosexuals, as though they were deserving of treatment below other humans. This outraged a significant number of New Zealanders who took up the cause of homosexual law reform as a result, inspired the horrific death of Charles Aberhart and the subsequent lack of retribution.
Another significant cause of homosexual law reform in New Zealand was the awful prejudice and societal intolerance of homosexuals that existed in New Zealand. Gay individuals were often ridiculed and mocked by individuals, and at times they were even openly shown hatred. They were often physically attacked and could be fired from their jobs if they were discovered to be homosexual. What is considerably worse though is that the uncovering of their sexuality could even lead to abandonment by their families and friends. This awful climate for homosexuals led to many individuals hiding and denying their sexuality for fear of society’s punishment. The physical attacks on these men could even result in deaths, as in the tragic case of Charles Aberhart. In 1964 Aberhart, a homosexual, was attacked by six youths who beat him to the point of death via a brain hemorrhage. The six young men tried to explain their actions by simply stating they had felt like ‘bashing a queer’. When the case when to court, the jury decided on a verdict of not guilty, and the six boys were acquitted of the crime. This decision left many members of the New Zealand public stunned; it appeared as though New Zealand had a legal system which did not condemn the murder of homosexuals, as though they were deserving of treatment below other humans. This outraged a significant number of New Zealanders who took up the cause of homosexual law reform as a result, inspired the horrific death of Charles Aberhart and the subsequent lack of retribution.
Key Ideas
-An increase in police brutality led to public concerns for the safety of homosexuals, with police actively hunting down and entrapping perceived homosexuals in public places such as toilets and clubrooms. The eventual death of Charles Aberhart and the subsequent acquittal of the men responsible for his death led many to believe that New Zealand had cultural and legal norms which approved of the death of homosexuals. The public were outraged and a sensation swept over them, leading to increased support of the homosexual law reform.
-Changes in religious and psychiatric beliefs that arose out of theological departures in the teachings of those fields. Christian churches were becoming softer on homosexuals and many religious teachers believed that God did actively seek vengeance against homosexuals and did not disapprove of their orientation. The Methodist Catholic Church publicly made a decision to support homosexual law reform. Similarly, the removal of homosexuality as a recognised mental disorder created a change in social perception of homosexuals, and led to increased public support of reform.
-Overseas influences also created changed perceptions in society. The Stonewall Riots inspired many homosexuals in New Zealand to stand up for reform. Similarly, changes in British Law led to a subsequent movements to change New Zealand Homosexual Law.
-An increase in police brutality led to public concerns for the safety of homosexuals, with police actively hunting down and entrapping perceived homosexuals in public places such as toilets and clubrooms. The eventual death of Charles Aberhart and the subsequent acquittal of the men responsible for his death led many to believe that New Zealand had cultural and legal norms which approved of the death of homosexuals. The public were outraged and a sensation swept over them, leading to increased support of the homosexual law reform.
-Changes in religious and psychiatric beliefs that arose out of theological departures in the teachings of those fields. Christian churches were becoming softer on homosexuals and many religious teachers believed that God did actively seek vengeance against homosexuals and did not disapprove of their orientation. The Methodist Catholic Church publicly made a decision to support homosexual law reform. Similarly, the removal of homosexuality as a recognised mental disorder created a change in social perception of homosexuals, and led to increased public support of reform.
-Overseas influences also created changed perceptions in society. The Stonewall Riots inspired many homosexuals in New Zealand to stand up for reform. Similarly, changes in British Law led to a subsequent movements to change New Zealand Homosexual Law.