Key Groups and Individuals
Jack Goodwin
Jack Goodwin was a key individual in the homosexual law reform in New Zealand and was influential in lobbying support around New Zealand. Goodwin took a very conservative approach to his work, not wanting to enflame any tensions between groups in society. As a result of this, he did not support the gay liberation movement and its tactics when it was established. He was a founding member of the Dorian Society, and was secretary of the New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society from its establishment in 1962. His role of secretary meant he was the individual in the society who had to deal with many of the vitriolic mail it was sent from its detractors. Goodwin’s influence in the NZHLRS was notable, making considerable contributions such as successfully inviting Eric Gowing, the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, to join the NZHLRS. Whilst having a siginificant impact on homosexual law reform in New Zealand, Goodwin did have conservative goals, campaigning simply for legal acts toleration and decriminilisation. Goodwin conceded that society’s attitude would be difficult to change and instead lobbyed for change in the legal sphere. His tactics were hardly overt, making submissions in support of homosexual reform bills and writing letters to newspapers and noteworthy individuals who could show support. Whilst remainingly constantly pragmatic, Goodwin remained positive throughout his work, and always believed change could be achieved.
Jack Goodwin was a key individual in the homosexual law reform in New Zealand and was influential in lobbying support around New Zealand. Goodwin took a very conservative approach to his work, not wanting to enflame any tensions between groups in society. As a result of this, he did not support the gay liberation movement and its tactics when it was established. He was a founding member of the Dorian Society, and was secretary of the New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society from its establishment in 1962. His role of secretary meant he was the individual in the society who had to deal with many of the vitriolic mail it was sent from its detractors. Goodwin’s influence in the NZHLRS was notable, making considerable contributions such as successfully inviting Eric Gowing, the Anglican Bishop of Auckland, to join the NZHLRS. Whilst having a siginificant impact on homosexual law reform in New Zealand, Goodwin did have conservative goals, campaigning simply for legal acts toleration and decriminilisation. Goodwin conceded that society’s attitude would be difficult to change and instead lobbyed for change in the legal sphere. His tactics were hardly overt, making submissions in support of homosexual reform bills and writing letters to newspapers and noteworthy individuals who could show support. Whilst remainingly constantly pragmatic, Goodwin remained positive throughout his work, and always believed change could be achieved.
Robin Duff and Club 69
Robin Duff was a promienent member of the homosexual reform movement in the 1970s. Duff had stronger political and public sway than many other supporters due to his standing as an openly gay parliamentary candidate. Duff aimed to break down the social isolation that affronted homosexual individuals. He organised social groups in Christchurch, most prominently ‘Club 69’ and a welfare group called ‘Gay Link’. Similarly, Duff sought to unionise support for homosexual reform in education, establishing the Gay Teachers’ and Students’ Union, which became ‘Gays in Education’ in 1981. Duff was also prominently involved in the Gay Liberation Front, representing Christchurch at th first national conference in Auckland. He was also involved with various other groups over the years, perhaps most significantly the University of Canterbury Gay Activist Students (GAS), later renamed the Gay University Students’ Society (GUSS). However Duff soon became frustrated with the lack of progress, and as a result advocated for the establishment of the National Gay Rights Coalition, a national organisation with more focused policies and a tighter central plan. He was also a part of more politically focused protests groups which aimed to carry out specific actions. Lobby groups such as HELL (Homosexual Electoral Legislative Lobby) would anonymously send aggressive letters to MPs, an act which other homosexual reform groups condemned as overly assertive and enflammatory. Through his prominent involvement in many key policital and public reform groups, Robin Duff was an essential member of the homosexual reform movement in New Zealand.
Robin Duff was a promienent member of the homosexual reform movement in the 1970s. Duff had stronger political and public sway than many other supporters due to his standing as an openly gay parliamentary candidate. Duff aimed to break down the social isolation that affronted homosexual individuals. He organised social groups in Christchurch, most prominently ‘Club 69’ and a welfare group called ‘Gay Link’. Similarly, Duff sought to unionise support for homosexual reform in education, establishing the Gay Teachers’ and Students’ Union, which became ‘Gays in Education’ in 1981. Duff was also prominently involved in the Gay Liberation Front, representing Christchurch at th first national conference in Auckland. He was also involved with various other groups over the years, perhaps most significantly the University of Canterbury Gay Activist Students (GAS), later renamed the Gay University Students’ Society (GUSS). However Duff soon became frustrated with the lack of progress, and as a result advocated for the establishment of the National Gay Rights Coalition, a national organisation with more focused policies and a tighter central plan. He was also a part of more politically focused protests groups which aimed to carry out specific actions. Lobby groups such as HELL (Homosexual Electoral Legislative Lobby) would anonymously send aggressive letters to MPs, an act which other homosexual reform groups condemned as overly assertive and enflammatory. Through his prominent involvement in many key policital and public reform groups, Robin Duff was an essential member of the homosexual reform movement in New Zealand.
Bill Logan and the Gay Task Force
Bill Logan was another prominent member of homosexual law reform in New Zealand, and was a key of the Gay Task Force, another assertive protest group during the reform period. Along with David Hindley and Ewen Paynter, Logan was one of the co-ordinators and spokespeople of the Wellington section of the Task Force. One of the key acts performed by the Wellington Gay Task Force was their protesting for law reform as a necessary AIDS prevention measure. They prepared pamphlets and lobbyed politicians to raise awareness and support for this issue, finding that 65 of 95 MPs supported some form of reform. Whilst this campaign ran Logan proved himself to be very competent at running the campaign, achieving great success whilst doing so. In his later life Logan has become a prominent counsellor and continued his advocation for gay rights, becoming a celebrant for civil unions and marriages of both hetero and homosexual nature. Similarly, he contributed to Michael King’s book ‘One of the boys? Changing views on masculinity in New Zealand’ with a section entitled ‘Never exactly one of the lads’ relating the strife faced by many homosexuals in the overtly masculine society of New Zealand.
Bill Logan was another prominent member of homosexual law reform in New Zealand, and was a key of the Gay Task Force, another assertive protest group during the reform period. Along with David Hindley and Ewen Paynter, Logan was one of the co-ordinators and spokespeople of the Wellington section of the Task Force. One of the key acts performed by the Wellington Gay Task Force was their protesting for law reform as a necessary AIDS prevention measure. They prepared pamphlets and lobbyed politicians to raise awareness and support for this issue, finding that 65 of 95 MPs supported some form of reform. Whilst this campaign ran Logan proved himself to be very competent at running the campaign, achieving great success whilst doing so. In his later life Logan has become a prominent counsellor and continued his advocation for gay rights, becoming a celebrant for civil unions and marriages of both hetero and homosexual nature. Similarly, he contributed to Michael King’s book ‘One of the boys? Changing views on masculinity in New Zealand’ with a section entitled ‘Never exactly one of the lads’ relating the strife faced by many homosexuals in the overtly masculine society of New Zealand.
Fran Wilde
Fran Wilde was an influential member of the homosexual law reform movement, introducing the Homosexual Law Reform Bill to parliament on March 8th 1985. She was a prominent MP, serving as Labour candidate for Wellington Central from 1981 until 1992, entering parliament during a revolutionary time for New Zealand politics. Wilde's maiden speech in parliament, which criticised ‘multi-national corporates with whom the National government is ever willing to cuddle down', propelled her into the headlines as a passionate social campaigner. Supporters of the homosexual reform and gay activists prompted Wilde to introduce the bill, viewing her as a political outlet to generate change. Whilst Wilde was initially fearful of direct protests she did feel compelled to help the more militant of the reform protestors. Whilst more identifying herself and her campaign with the moderate group of reformers, she did empathise with those who wanted more violent, direct action – ‘for months they have been hearing that they should be jailed, that they are scum and disease-ridden perverts.’ Wilde’s campaign was based more on education than that of brute force. She intended to educate men and women who simply ‘didn’t know about homosexuality.’ As well as this Wilde intended to enlighten members of the public to many of the vitriolic and untrue myths that were propagated by members of the opposition to homosexual reform. She felt as though an increase in public knowledge and a removal of the societal taboo of homosexuality would lead to a shift in the political sphere on homosexuality. She proposed the bill in 1985, and instantly became the target of much hatred and abuse, even becoming the target of hate mail and death threats for a period. Wilde states that her electorate played a huge role in supporting the bill, “My electorate was known as a liberal electorate – it was a young electorate with young professionals, and a big gay and lesbian community - who were more accepted there.” The next 16 months of Wilde’s life was a brutal and hard fought battle for reformation. The opposition fought against her bill with visceral and vile diatribe against homosexuals, and Wilde herself was personally targeted. However Wilde stood firm against the criticism and in 1986 the bill was passed by the slim margin of 49 votes to 44. Wilde had been absolutely influential in this result, and would continue advocating human rights campaigns as she would go on to become Wellington’s first female mayor.
Fran Wilde was an influential member of the homosexual law reform movement, introducing the Homosexual Law Reform Bill to parliament on March 8th 1985. She was a prominent MP, serving as Labour candidate for Wellington Central from 1981 until 1992, entering parliament during a revolutionary time for New Zealand politics. Wilde's maiden speech in parliament, which criticised ‘multi-national corporates with whom the National government is ever willing to cuddle down', propelled her into the headlines as a passionate social campaigner. Supporters of the homosexual reform and gay activists prompted Wilde to introduce the bill, viewing her as a political outlet to generate change. Whilst Wilde was initially fearful of direct protests she did feel compelled to help the more militant of the reform protestors. Whilst more identifying herself and her campaign with the moderate group of reformers, she did empathise with those who wanted more violent, direct action – ‘for months they have been hearing that they should be jailed, that they are scum and disease-ridden perverts.’ Wilde’s campaign was based more on education than that of brute force. She intended to educate men and women who simply ‘didn’t know about homosexuality.’ As well as this Wilde intended to enlighten members of the public to many of the vitriolic and untrue myths that were propagated by members of the opposition to homosexual reform. She felt as though an increase in public knowledge and a removal of the societal taboo of homosexuality would lead to a shift in the political sphere on homosexuality. She proposed the bill in 1985, and instantly became the target of much hatred and abuse, even becoming the target of hate mail and death threats for a period. Wilde states that her electorate played a huge role in supporting the bill, “My electorate was known as a liberal electorate – it was a young electorate with young professionals, and a big gay and lesbian community - who were more accepted there.” The next 16 months of Wilde’s life was a brutal and hard fought battle for reformation. The opposition fought against her bill with visceral and vile diatribe against homosexuals, and Wilde herself was personally targeted. However Wilde stood firm against the criticism and in 1986 the bill was passed by the slim margin of 49 votes to 44. Wilde had been absolutely influential in this result, and would continue advocating human rights campaigns as she would go on to become Wellington’s first female mayor.
Key Ideas
-The establishment of the Dorian Society in New Zealand was inspired by the Wolfenden Report in Britain, and they soon changed their name to New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society in New Zealand.
-The Gay Task Force were influential in changing and gauging public opinion on homosexual law reform in New Zealand. They sought to set up AIDS prevention campaigns and lobbied MPs to take up the cause of homosexual law reform. Bill Logan was an influential campaigner within the Force, and published various pamphlets and accounts of support for homosexual reform.
-Fran Wilde's proposition of a homosexual reform bill led to much public hatred of her, and over the next 16 months a frantic political battle ensued, with her bill eventually passing 49 votes to 44, officially legalising homosexual activity between males.
-The establishment of the Dorian Society in New Zealand was inspired by the Wolfenden Report in Britain, and they soon changed their name to New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society in New Zealand.
-The Gay Task Force were influential in changing and gauging public opinion on homosexual law reform in New Zealand. They sought to set up AIDS prevention campaigns and lobbied MPs to take up the cause of homosexual law reform. Bill Logan was an influential campaigner within the Force, and published various pamphlets and accounts of support for homosexual reform.
-Fran Wilde's proposition of a homosexual reform bill led to much public hatred of her, and over the next 16 months a frantic political battle ensued, with her bill eventually passing 49 votes to 44, officially legalising homosexual activity between males.