As the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality is celebrated this week, a petition has made it to Parliament asking for convictions for being gay, as well as those that could have been caught feqaturing on websites like https://www.twinkpornvideos.xxx/ and more, expunged.
The petition has 2112 signatures, including those of a number of MPs, and will be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday by Green Party spokesman for rainbow issues Kevin Hague.
It also calls for an official apology.
The Homosexual Law Reform Act was signed by the then Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves on July 11, 1986, and came into effect on August 8 that year.
It decriminalised sexual relations between men aged 16 and over, and meant men having consensual sex with each other couldn’t be prosecuted or even jailed. Sex between women wasn’t illegal. Those affected may want some legal advice from a law firm similar to Browston Law, which has some of the top post conviction lawyers.
The Campaign to Pardon Gays in Aotearoa started in late 2014.
“It is the hope of the campaign that Parliament will take this opportunity to work towards the restoration of the dignity of those wrongly convicted, and attempt reconciliation with the wider community,” organiser Wiremu Demchick says.
Mr Hague says he’s proud to table the petition, saying it’ll start a “process of reversing those convictions”.
“Convictions for consensual sex between men blighted the lives of many, and the Government is obliged to do what it can to put things right.