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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 26. October 2 1978

Human Rights Cost Nothing

page 5

Human Rights Cost Nothing

"Human Rights Cost Nothing" and "Gay Rights - It's Time" are some of the slogans being used by the National Gay Rights Coalition this year. The Coalition is running a campaign based on the General Election to inform the public about Gay people and Gay Rights.

The theme of the campaign "Human Rights Cost Nothing" was chosen because political parties will attempt to make the state of the economy the only issue during the elections. However, the NGRC is aiming to make the public aware that human rights are an important issue and the legislation to guarantee human rights will cost the country nothing. Indeed, Gay Right! legislation could well save the country money which is presently being spent on the victims of anti-Gay prejudice such as hospital care for the victims of queer bashing and unemployment benefits for those fired from their jobs for being gay.

A questionaire on Gay Rights has been sent to all candidates, and the results have so far revealed an abysmal ignorance of what Gay Rights are all about. Many candidate! do not realise that Gay Rights extend beyond the issue of homosexual law repeal/reform and cover more important areas such as:
1.The right to privacy in your personal life.
2.The right to dignity
3.The right to control over your own body and its functions - provided that this does not interfere with the rights of others.
4.The right to children.
5.The right to work.
6.The right to accommodation.
7.The right to access to goods and services, public facilites, etc.
8.The right to protection by and equality, under the law without prejudice to yourself as a victim, eg. in cases of blackmail and assault.
9.The right to recognition as a de facto couple in areas such as: taxation, mobility within jobs, loam and housing, inheritance from intestate deaths, hospital visiting rights.

So how is the NGRC Making the Public and Politicians Aware of the Human Rights Issue?

You will by now have probably noticed numerous nickers, poster!, and perhaps also observed pickets and news media coverage about Gay rights in Wellington. This is part of a nationwide campaign which will be further built up towards the election and will include a milti-media advertisiig campaign.

Also of late, a public opinion survey has been conducted by Victoria University Sociology Dept. to gauge attitudes towards homosexuals. This has shown that the views of the public are not being reflected by our Members of Parliament. The survey revealed that 80% of the voters of Island Bay and Wellington Central electorates consider that the Human Rights Commission Act should be expanded to include protection for people on the basis of their sexual orientation.

It also showed that homosexuals should have the right to any job they want provided they are qualified for it. On the question of the Crimes Act, 68% feel that the laws against adult males should be repealed, while only 21% feel that the law should remain as it is, or be enforced. 59% also feel that the age of consent for homosexual acts should be 16 years or under, which would bring it into line with the age of consent for heterosexual acts.

So, What are the Opinions of the Candidates? Replies to the National Gay Rights Coalition's questionnaire and follow up reports revealed the following:
CandidateAttitude to the inclusion of Gays in the Human Rights Commission ActAttitude to the Crimes ActAttitude to the Age of Consent
Wellington Central Electorate
Comber (Nat.)Does not support the inclusion of GaysShould remain as it isProhibit homosexual acts at all ages
Pickering (Lab.)Supports the inclusion of GaysReform of Crimes ActAge 18
Roper (Values)Supports the inclusion of GaysRepeal of Crimes ActAge 16
England (S.C.)No replyNo replyNo reply
Island Bay Electorate
Nathan (Nat.)No opinion expressedReceptive to proposals but non-committalNo opinion expressed
O'Brien (Lab. Ind.)Supports inclusion of GaysSupports reformUndecided on age
O'Flynn (Lab.)Does not support the inclusion of GaysRepeal of CrimesAge 20
Good (Values)Supports inclusion of GaysRepeal of Crimes ActNo age stated
Smith (S.C.)No replyNo replyNo reply
Starkey (Soc. Act.)Supports inclusion of GaysRepeal of Crimes ActAge 16

It is interesting that despite Social Credit policy on homosexual law reform, their candidates do not appear to support Gay Rights, while many of the other candidates hold views that are clearly out of touch with the majority of their electors.

Gay Rights are Relevant to you! Experience has shown that candidates who are opposed to Gay Rights are unlikely to support legislation in other areas of social/human rights. Would you Trust an Anti-Gay Candidate to Protect the Rest of Your Human Rights?

For further information: contact Margo Field ph 796-953 or Gavin Young ph 738-358.

Drawing of two men by a brick wall

"Your seeming indifference to the matter of your past-due account is difficult to understand.

We have every confidence in you and believe that you intend to pay, but your account has now reached the stage where we can no longer simply continue making requests for payment...."