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NZ moves to erase homosexual convictions
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NEW Zealand announced plans yesterday to erase historic convictions for engaging in gay sex, apologizing to those branded criminals under old laws.
Homosexuality became legal in New Zealand in 1986 but people who were convicted before then still have the offense listed on their official records.
Justice Minister Amy Adams said such convictions could appear on criminal history checks and in some cases had to be disclosed while applying for jobs. She said people would soon be able to have them expunged from official records.
“It means people will be treated as if they had never been convicted and removes the ongoing stigma and prejudice that can arise from convictions for homosexual offenses,” she said.
“I acknowledge the pain that these New Zealanders have lived with and hope that this will go some way toward addressing that.”
Adams apologized to those she said had lived with years of stigma and prejudice.
“We are sorry for what those men and their families have gone through and the continued effect the convictions have had on them,” she said.
The convictions relate to three offenses that were dropped in 1986 — sodomy, indecency between males and keeping a place of resort for homosexual acts.
It estimated about 1,000 people will be eligible to apply to have their records cleared. To qualify, the sex that led to the conviction must have been consensual and taken place between adults aged 16 years or older.
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