Parliament finally apologises for homosexual convictions
Parliament has formally apologised to men convicted under old laws that criminalised homosexuality.
The rare apology from the House – rather than the Government itself – was moved by Justice Minister Amy Adams during the first reading of her bill to expunge these convictions.
Before the law was reformed in 1986 consensual sex between adult men was illegal. Even after the change, those charged kept their criminal record and faced huge discrimination and problems obtaining employment.
‘‘Today we’re putting on the record that this house deeply regrets the hurt and stigma that was suffered by the hundreds of men who were turned into criminals,’’ Adams said.
‘‘We’re acknowledging that these men should never have been burdened with criminal convictions, and we are recognising the continual effect that these convictions have had on their lives and the lives of their families.’’
‘‘It is never too late to apologise. While we cannot ever erase the injustice, this apology is a symbolic but important act that we hope will help address the harm and right this historic wrong.’’
Following Adams’ speech, a waiata was sung by spectators in the public gallery.
Labour’s Grant Robertson paid tribute to those New Zealanders who fought for decriminalisation as well as those who had been convicted under the law.
‘‘I stand on your shoulders today. The fact that I as a gay man can be out and proud as a member of Parliament is but a small tribute to you,’’ Robertson said.
‘‘Let us be clear: the illegality of homosexuality, the arrests, the imprisonments and the fear of that happening did not just ruin lives and destroy potential – it killed people.
‘‘Hundreds, possibly thousands of lives have been lost because men could not bear the shame, the stigma, and the hurt caused by this Parliament.’’
The Green Party’s Marama Davidson spoke about her homophobic uncle, whom she said was charged with manslaughter after throwing a gay man into the water. ‘‘I want to send my love to the family of the young man whose life was taken by my uncle. We lost two men to homophobia,’’ Davidson said.
Adams’ bill was announced in February and introduced to Parliament in late June.
It will set up a system where men charged with consensual homosexual conduct under old laws can apply to have those convictions wiped.
The Justice Ministry believes there are around 1000 of these men still alive.