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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol 36 No. 5. 29 March 1973

Gay Liberation Meetings

page 3

Gay Liberation Meetings

The name Gay Liberation Front is often misunderstood. To many it has an aggressive ring about it, and it is often associated with the more militant liberation fronts in the United States. Wellington's Gay Liberation Front is a different organisation altogether. It is concerned with public attitudes and at the forthcoming meeting the members hope to make their aims known to as many people as possible.

It is intended that a national body for Gay Liberation will be formed with delegates from each branch attending the annual national conference at the time the universities' Arts Festival is held. At the moment there are about 100 members in the Wellington Gay Liberation Front, including a nucleus of students to form a university club affiliated with the Student Union. Not all of these are homosexuals. Some members are sympathisers who hope that by increasing its number the Front will have a better chance of bringing its aims to a wider public.

While they would like to see the law regarding their private activities changed, members are more concerned with people's attitudes. If attitudes are changed, they feel, law reform will follow. It is a common belief that all homosexuals are effeminate, very promiscuous and continually out for sexual conquests. There are some homosexuals who do fit into these categories just as there are some heterosexuals who do but the majority of homosexuals cover the same levels of society as do non-homosexuals. In Wellington about 30 per cent of the Gay Liberation members are women.

Much of the effort of the Wellington Society has gone into addressing meetings and organisations. This is one way they feel people can be given the facts and left to make up their own minds. The society has also assisted its members in adjusting to society. One of the main aids in this work has been regular meetings where homosexuals can meet. Many lonely homosexuals can take hope and develop themselves into useful members of the community when they learn from the experience of those who have adapted to their role. The Wellington branch has also plans to introduce a telephone counselling service. Similar services overseas have proved most useful in bridging the gap between the homosexual and the rest of society.

A guest speaker has been invited to address the public concerning conditions in some European countries, in the Smoking Room, Union Building, from 3pm Sunday 1st April, followed by coffee and general discussion.