All Historical Events
| 9 Nov 1795 | (James) Miranda Steuart Barry is born (Ireland) Links: Wikipedia |
| 3 Nov 1802 | Missionary William Yate is born (Shropshire, United Kingdom) Links: Wikipedia, Te Ara |
| 26 Feb 1817 | Feminist and businesswoman Mary Taylor is born (Yorkshire, United Kingdom) Taylor was a life-long friend and some say lover of writer Charlotte Bronte. Links: Te Ara, GayNZ.net |
| 4 Dec 1835 | Writer Samuel Butler is born (Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom) Links: Wikipedia, GayNZ.net, Te Ara |
| Dec 1836 | Missionary William Yate leaves New Zealand (New Zealand) Yate leaves for England after an inquiry into allegations of sexual activity with some of his male pupils. Links: Te Ara |
| 1838 | Charles Paine Pauli is born (Germany) Pauli later had a relationship with writer Samuel Butler. Links: Wikipedia, GayNZ.net, Te Ara, Papers Past |
| 6 Feb 1840 | The Treaty of Waitangi is signed (Waitangi, New Zealand) New Zealand becomes part of the British Empire. This in turn makes homosexual acts illegal and punishable by death. Links: NZ History |
| 24 Jul 1845 | Mary Taylor arrives in New Zealand (New Zealand) Taylor is a life-long friend and some say lover of writer Charlotte Bronte. She returns to England in 1860. Links: Te Ara, GayNZ.net |
| 2 Apr 1854 | Photographer Robert Gant is born (United Kingdom) Gant is born in Woolwich (now Greater London). At the age of 21 he immigrates to Wellington, New Zealand. |
| 16 Oct 1854 | Writer Oscar Wilde is born (United Kingdom) Links: Wikipedia |
| 18 May 1859 | Confidence trickster Amy Bock is born (Tasmania, Australia) Links: Te Ara |
| 26 Sep 1860 | Photographer Henry Winkelmann is born (Yorkshire, United Kingdom) Links: Te Ara, Auckland War Memorial Museum |
| 1861 | The United Kingdom's death penalty for buggery is abolished (United Kingdom) However, male homosexual acts still remain illegal and are punishable by imprisonment. Links: Wikipedia |
| Sep 1863 | Writer Samuel Butler begins a relationship with Charles Paine Pauli (Christchurch, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia, GayNZ.net, Te Ara, Papers Past |
| 25 Jul 1865 | James Miranda Steuart Barry dies (London, United Kingdom) Links: Wikipedia |
| 10 Oct 1867 | New Zealand's buggery law is revised (New Zealand) A person convicted of sodomy could be imprisoned for life and anyone convicted of attempted buggery or an indecent assault on a male could serve up to ten years imprisonment (Offences Against the Person Act 1867 / Unnatural Offences, 58-60). Links: Early NZ Statutes |
| 14 May 1868 | Physician and sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld is born Links: Wikipedia |
| 14 Sep 1868 | Alexander Turnbull is born (Wellington, New Zealand) During his life Turnbull collected a wide variety of manuscripts and documents. He later donated his collection to the country - forming the basis of the Alexander Turnbull Library. Links: Te Ara, GayNZ.net |
| 28 Apr 1869 | Painter Frances Hodgkins is born Links: Te Ara, PrideNZ.com |
| 6 Oct 1874 | Poet Ursula Bethell is born Links: Te Ara, PrideNZ.com |
| 1875 | Eugenia Falleni (a.k.a Harry Crawford) is born (Italy) Falleni lived as a man, married Annie Birkett and was subsequently convicted of murdering her in 1920 in Australia. Born in Italy, Falleni had moved to Wellington, New Zealand in 1877. In 1996 Lorae Parry wrote Eugenia a play based on Falleni's life. Links: Wikipedia |
| 29 Jun 1875 | Charles Mackay is born (Nelson, New Zealand) Mackay later became the mayor of Wanganui Links: Te Ara, GayNZ.net |
| Jul 1876 | Robert Gant arrives in Wellington (Wellington, New Zealand) Gant emigrates from the United Kingdom |
| 26 Jul 1877 | William Yate dies Links: Te Ara |
| 17 Jun 1882 | Plastic surgeon Harold Gillies is born (Dunedin, New Zealand) Gillies is widely considered the father of plastic and gender reassignment surgery. Links: Wikipedia |
| 16 Sep 1882 | Mountaineer Freda Du Faur is born (Sydney, Australia) Links: Sydney Morning Herald, Te Ara |
| 1885 | The buggery law in the United Kingdom is extended to include any kind of sexual activity between males (United Kingdom) (Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885) Links: Wikipedia |
| 30 Apr 1886 | Amy Bock is convicted of obtaining goods by false pretences (Christchurch, New Zealand) Links: Papers Past |
| 14 Oct 1888 | Writer Katherine Mansfield (nee Beauchamp) is born (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara, PrideNZ |
| 10 Apr 1890 | Maata Mahupuku is born (New Zealand) Mahupuku was later a lover of Katherine Mansfield. Links: Te Ara |
| 1 Mar 1893 | Mary Taylor dies (Yorkshire, United Kingdom) Links: Te Ara |
| 19 Sep 1893 | New Zealand becomes the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections (New Zealand) Links: NZ History, Papers Past |
| 6 Oct 1893 | New Zealand's law is broadened to outlaw any sexual activity between men (New Zealand) Penalties include life imprisonment, hard labour and flogging (Criminal Code Act 1893). Links: Early New Zealand Statutes |
| 6 Apr 1895 | Oscar Wilde is arrested (London, United Kingdom) Links: Papers Past, Wikipedia |
| 26 May 1895 | Oscar Wilde is convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years hard labour (London, United Kingdom) Links: Papers Past, Wikipedia |
| 22 Jan 1896 | Poet Walter D'Arcy Cresswell is born (Christchurch, New Zealand) Cresswell was later shot by Charles Mackay, mayor of Wanganui Links: Te Ara, GayNZ.net |
| 1897 | Charles Paine Pauli dies (London, United Kingdom) Pauli had a relationship with writer Samuel Butler. Links: Wikipedia, GayNZ.net, Te Ara, Papers Past |
| 14 May 1897 | Magnus Hirschfeld founds the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee (Berlin, Germany) The Committee was formed to campaign for social recognition of gay, bisexual and transgender men and women, and against their legal persecution. It was the first LGBT rights organisation in history. Links: Wikipedia |
| 2 Dec 1897 | Writer and educator Rewi Alley is born (Canterbury region, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia, Te Ara |
| 2 May 1898 | Lawyer and social reformer Frank Haigh is born (Lower Hutt, New Zealand) Among other things Haigh was prominent in the cause of homosexual law reform. Links: Te Ara |
| 30 Nov 1900 | Oscar Wilde dies (Paris, France) Links: Wikipedia |
| Feb 1901 | Painter Frances Hodgkins leaves New Zealand for Europe (New Zealand) Hodgkins and painter Dorothy Richmond travel together. Links: Te Ara, Papers Past |
| 18 Jun 1902 | Writer Samuel Butler dies (London, United Kingdom) Links: Wikipedia, GayNZ.net, Te Ara |
| 23 Dec 1902 | Civil libertarian Walter Scott is born (Canterbury region, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 9 Feb 1903 | Writer James Courage is born (Christchurch, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 23 Mar 1903 | Writer Norris Frank Davey (a.k.a Frank Sargeson) is born (Hamilton, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara, GayNZ.net |
| 17 Jun 1906 | Writer Eric McCormick is born (Rangitikei region, New Zealand) McCormick wrote, among other works, biographies on Alexander Turnbull and Frances Hodgkins Links: Te Ara |
| 29 Nov 1906 | Diplomat Alister McIntosh is born (Marlborough region, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 20 Dec 1906 | Bertha Victor (a.k.a Bert Rotciv) is arrested (Sydney, Australia) The NZ Truth headline reads "Boy Bertha, a Perplexing Puzzle." Links: Papers Past, Te Ara |
| 1907 | Katherine Mansfield has a relationship with Maata Mahupuku (Wellington, New Zealand) Mansfield also begins a relationship with Edie Bendall. Links: Te Ara |
| 23 Mar 1907 | The NZ Truth reports that Oscar Wilde's play Salome is prohibited in New York (New York, United States of America) Links: Papers Past |
| 22 Apr 1907 | Bertha Victor appears in court charged with drunkenness, vagrancy, and using obscene language (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Papers Past |
| 29 Jun 1907 | The Girlhood of a Man by N. O. Body is reviewed in the New Zealand Herald (Berlin, Germany) The autobiography of "Nobody" was published in Berlin. It documents the life of Nora/Norbet who was born in 1884. Links: Papers Past |
| Jul 1908 | Katherine Mansfield leaves for England (Wellington, New Zealand) Mansfield leaves shortly after her father reads Leves Amores. Links: GayNZ.net, Te Ara |
| 4 Aug 1908 | The Crimes Act 1908 is enacted (New Zealand) Links: Early New Zealand Statutes |
| 28 Aug 1908 | Dennis William Quill appears in court charged with being idle and disorderly (Wellington, New Zealand) Quill was arrested wearing female attire near Pirie Street. He assured the judge that he bought the clothing out of "sheer devilment" and was wearing them for a similar fantasy. The charge was dismissed. Links: Evening Post |
| 27 Apr 1909 | Amy Bock pleads guilty to forgery charges (Dunedin, New Zealand) Links: Papers Past, Te Ara |
| 17 Jun 1909 | The marriage of Percival Redwood (a.k.a. Amy Bock) and Agnes Ottaway is annulled (Dunedin, New Zealand) Links: Papers Past, Te Ara |
| 27 Jul 1909 | Writer and poet Charles Brasch is born (Dunedin, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 20 Aug 1909 | Artist Rodney Kennedy is born (Dunedin, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 27 Mar 1910 | Dancer Freda Stark is born (Northland region, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 11 Apr 1910 | Artist Toss Woollaston is born (Stratford, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 10 May 1910 | Composer Tuini Moetu Haangu Ngawai is born (Gisborne region, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 3 Dec 1910 | Freda Du Faur ascends Mt Cook (Canterbury region, New Zealand) Du Faur is the first woman to reach the summit. Links: Sydney Morning Herald, Te Ara, Papers Past |
| 8 Apr 1911 | The Fielding Star reports a theatre audience laughs the trouser-skirt off the stage (Paris, France) The report notes that it is illegal in France for women to dress in men's attire and vice versa, except at Carnival time. Links: Papers Past |
| 5 Apr 1912 | The Northern Advocate reports on the "romance of two girls" (London, United Kingdom) The report headline reads "one poses as a man - the other as the wife". The couple come before the courts for disorderly conduct. Why couldn't they have left us alone? We were so happy together weren't we, darling? said Adelaide Dallamore, Yes love, but they shall never, never part us! replied her partner. Links: Papers Past |
| 1 May 1912 | Artist Leo Bensemann is born (Marlborough region, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara, New Zealand Herald |
| 23 Jun 1912 | Computer scientist and mathematician Alan Turing is born (London, United Kingdom) |
| 4 Dec 1912 | James Townsley (a.k.a. Evelyn Hartwood) is jailed for 5 years (Sydney, Australia) Referred to as the "king of burglers" in South Australia, Townsley is also known for his skill at female impersonation. He is jailed for escaping custody in Adelaide. Links: Papers Past |
| 17 Dec 1913 | Poet Rupert Brooke arrives in New Zealand onboard RMS Niagara (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia, Papers Past |
| 7 Jan 1914 | Rupert Brooke departs for Tahiti onboard RMS Tahiti (Wellington, New Zealand) Brooke is in Wellington 5-7 January 1914. Links: Wikipedia, Papers Past |
| 20 Jan 1915 | The Evening Post reports Lindsay Campbell pleads guilty to unlawfully wearing female clothing in a public place (Adelaide, Australia) Links: Papers Past |
| 18 Apr 1915 | The Taranaki Daily News reports on the court case of Ellehan Eppheam (a.k.a Miss de Vien) who has posed as a woman for 15 years (London, United Kingdom) The report documents a court appearance where the chief constable believes Eppheam has symptoms of insanity. Links: Papers Past |
| 31 Jul 1915 | Artist Theo Schoon is born (Java, Indonesia) Schoon was a notable figure in New Zealand art in the mid 20th century. He refused to separate art and craft and created in a range of media. He was interested in the integration of Maori and European art to produce a local modernism. Links: Te Ara |
| 2 Nov 1915 | Composer Douglas Lilburn is born (Whanganui, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 1 Sep 1916 | A Bill is introduced to allow females to wear male clothing and take a male first name (Melbourne, Australia) The Colonist newspaper reports the move as "freak legislation in Victoria". Links: Papers Past |
| 27 Oct 1916 | The Ohinemuri Gazette reports on the court appearance of Frederick Wright (a.k.a Kathleen Woodhouse) (London, United Kingdom) Wright is charged with "being an idle and disorderly person in female attire". Wright tells police that he wished he had been a woman. Links: Papers Past |
| 30 Jan 1917 | Writer W. Somerset Maugham and his lover Gerald Haxton briefly visit Wellington en route to Tahiti (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia, GayNZ.net |
| 4 Aug 1917 | The NZ Truth reports on homosexuality in Germany (Berlin, Germany) The newspaper reports that 30,000 people with homo-sexual inclinations reside in Berlin, and that 90% of the males in the city have at one time or another, been afflicted with the "sexual disease". Links: Papers Past |
| 13 Dec 1917 | Morals campaigner Keith Hay is born (Hastings, New Zealand) Hay was a founding member of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, a group that was behind the large anti homosexual law reform petition Links: Te Ara |
| 28 Jun 1918 | Alexander Turnbull dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara, GayNZ.net |
| 2 Aug 1918 | The Colonist reports on the Noel Pemberton Billing libel case in the United Kingdom (New Zealand) Billing had implied that the actress Maud Allan was a lesbian associate of German sympathisers. The news report also mentions the Berlin Black Book. It's claimed that the Germans are blackmailing 47,000 highly placed "British perverts". The alleged aim is to exterminate the manhood of Britain by luring men into homosexual acts. Links: Papers Past, Wikipedia |
| 1919 | The Institut fur Sexualwissenschaft (Institute of Sexology) opens (Berlin, Germany) The Institute is an early private sexology research institute headed by Magnus Hirschfeld. Links: Wikipedia |
| 16 Aug 1919 | A youth is arrested in female attire (Auckland, New Zealand) The Evening Post reports that Norman (last name not published) had been arrested in well-made female attire. The probation officer told the court that the youth who went by the name Ada Reeve "exercised a disturbing influence over other inmates in the probation home". Links: Papers Past |
| 23 Oct 1919 | The Thames Star reports on a play about Dr. James Miranda Steuart Barry (Thames, New Zealand) Barry was a military surgeon in the British Army who lived their adult life as a man. Links: Papers Past, Wikipedia |
| 15 May 1920 | Charles Mackay shoots and wounds D'Arcy Cresswell (Whanganui, New Zealand) Mackay is the Mayor of Wanganui at the time. Links: GayNZ.net, Te Ara |
| 27 May 1920 | Charles Mackay is sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the attempted murder of D'Arcy Cresswell (Whanganui, New Zealand) Mackay had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge. In the hope of mitigating Mackay's sentence, his defense lawyer pointed to how Mackay had been suffering from homo-sexual monomania for a number of years. Links: Papers Past |
| 5 Jul 1920 | Eugenia Falleni (a.k.a Harry Crawford) is arrested over the death of wife Annie Birkett (Sydney, Australia) Links: Wikipedia, Papers Past |
| 6 Oct 1920 | Eugenia Falleni is found guilty of murdering Annie Birkett (Sydney, Australia) Falleni is condemned to death but the sentence is commuted to detainment at the Governor's Pleasure. Links: Wikipedia, Papers Past |
| 3 May 1921 | George Rocake (a.k.a Winifred Wilson) appears in court charged with offensive behaviour (Sydney, Australia) Police had earlier raided Rocake's room and removed "female clothing, paints and powders". Links: Papers Past |
| 25 Sep 1921 | Prime Minister Robert Muldoon is born (Auckland, New Zealand) As Prime Minister, Muldoon accuses MP Colin Moyle of having been picked up for homosexual practices. Moyle resigned from Parliament in 1977. Links: Te Ara |
| 9 Jan 1923 | Katherine Mansfield dies (France) Mansfield dies of Tuberculosis. Links: Te Ara, Papers Past, Wikipedia, PrideNZ.com |
| 12 Oct 1923 | Hector Froggatt is sentenced to 8 years imprisonment for indecent assault on boys (Christchurch, New Zealand) A medical man giving evidence at the trial said Froggatt suffered from "homo-sexual abnormality". Links: Papers Past |
| 23 Feb 1924 | A headline in NZ Truth reads "The growth of degeneracy and sex crime - sterilisation proposed" (New Zealand) Links: Papers Past |
| Aug 1924 | Effie Pollen and poet Ursula Bethell begin living together (Christchurch, New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com, Te Ara |
| 10 Dec 1924 | The Society for Human Rights is formed (Chicago, United States of America) The Society is the oldest documented homosexual organisation in the USA. Links: Wikipedia |
| 1 Oct 1925 | Peter Stratford (a.k.a. Deresley Morton) marries Elizabeth Rowland (United States of America) Links: Papers Past |
| 2 Oct 1925 | Kenneth James Dell is arrested on Queen Street and charged with behaving in a disorderly manner (Auckland, New Zealand) Dell is seen walking on Queen Street wearing woman's shoes, a hat, veil and neck scarf. Links: Papers Past |
| 3 Oct 1925 | Kenneth James Dell is hospitalised on the morning of his court appearance (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Papers Past |
| 10 Oct 1925 | NZ Truth reports on the court case involving Kenneth James Dell (Auckland, New Zealand) Dell had been arrested in women's clothing on Queen Street. Dell was hospitalised on the morning of the court appearance. Links: Papers Past |
| 1927 | Henry Field conducts an investigation into homosexuality (New Plymouth, New Zealand) Field has an interest in the psychopathology of criminal behaviour and interviews 40 inmates at New Plymouth prison. The exact date of this investigation is unknown - circa 1926-1929. Links: Te Ara |
| 20 Apr 1927 | George Grace is convicted and sentenced to 3-months imprisonment for wearing female clothing (Napier, New Zealand) Grace had also gained admission to the local girls college. The Magistrate said "I will teach you to leave girls' clothing and girls' colleges alone in the future." Links: Papers Past |
| 27 Jun 1927 | Photographer Brian Brake is born (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia, Te Papa |
| 17 Mar 1928 | Morals campaigner Patricia Bartlett is born (Napier, New Zealand) Bartlett would later form the Society for Promotion of Community Standards. Links: Wikipedia |
| 27 Jul 1928 | The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall is published (United Kingdom) The lesbian-themed novel is later judged obscene by a British court and banned. Links: Wikipedia, Papers Past |
| 16 Nov 1928 | A court decides the book The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall is obscene (United Kingdom) The judge orders the book to be destroyed. Links: Wikipedia |
| 1 May 1929 | Expatriate Peter Stratford (a.k.a. Deresley Morton) dies (California, United States of America) A headline in NZ Truth reads "Death of masquerader reveals incredible deception". Links: Papers Past |
| 3 May 1929 | Former Mayor of Whanganui Charles Mackay is shot dead (Berlin, Germany) Mackay is killed by a policeman while covering a street battle as a journalist. Links: Papers Past, Te Ara |
| 9 May 1929 | The NZ Truth reports on a "man with female mentality" (Auckland, New Zealand) The news report documents the court case against Nikora Hune Haora. The prosecuting sub-inspector said to the court that Haora is actually wanting "an order to allow him to continue wearing female apparel". Links: Papers Past |
| 18 Jun 1929 | Politician Colin Moyle is born (Thames, New Zealand) Moyle resigned from Parliament in 1977 after it was made public that he had been questioned by the police on suspicion of homosexual activities. Links: Wikipedia |
| 22 Jul 1929 | The Evening Post reports on a recent presentation entitled "The Adolescent Girl" (Christchurch, New Zealand) Speaking to members of the Christchurch branch of the Parents' National Education Union Dr Jessie Scott talks about how girls between 11 and 16 experience a homo-sexual period. They "showed great affection for members of their own sex, often for women much older than themselves". This is followed by the heterosexual stage. Links: Papers Past |
| 1 Oct 1929 | Leonard Hollobon is arrested and charged with indecently assaulting a male (Wellington, New Zealand) Norris Davey (a.k.a Frank Sargeson) is the other party. Both are charged, with Davey later testifying against Hollobon. Links: Papers Past, Te Ara |
| 29 Oct 1929 | Norris Davey is convicted of indecent assault on a male (Wellington, New Zealand) Soon after Davey begins using the name Frank Sargeson. Links: Papers Past, Wikipedia |
| 31 Oct 1929 | Leonard Hollobon is sentenced to five years reformative detention after pleading guilty to three charges of indecent assault on males (Wellington, New Zealand) Norris Davey had earlier testified against Hollobon. Links: Papers Past |
| 5 Jul 1931 | Photographer Henry Winkelmann dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara, Auckland War Memorial Museum |
| Feb 1933 | The Nazi Party launches a purge of gay clubs, publications and groups (Germany) Links: Wikipedia |
| 6 May 1933 | Members of the German Student Union attack the Institut fur Sexualwissenschaft (Institute of Sexology) (Berlin, Germany) The attack follows a two-month Nazi purge of gay clubs and the banning of gay groups and publications. Links: Wikipedia |
| 10 May 1933 | Mobs of Nazi supporters burn books, including those taken from the Institut fur Sexualwissenschaft (Institute of Sexology) (Germany) The burning of books happens throughout Germany. Most notable is the book burning by students in Berlin's Opernplatz of over 25,000 volumes. Links: Papers Past, Wikipedia |
| 9 Jun 1933 | Te Ahurangi Matene (a.k.a. Rosanna Laihae) appears in court charged with falsely representing himself to be a woman (Auckland, New Zealand) Matene's lawyer submits that Matene had every intention of paying money owing, and so therefore a fraud charge could not stand. The case is dismissed. Links: Papers Past |
| 1 Jul 1934 | Ernst Roehm, an early Nazi leader and co-founder of the Sturmabteilung (SA) is executed (Germany) Links: Wikipedia, Papers Past |
| 11 Apr 1935 | Entrepreneur Tony Katavich is born (Auckland, New Zealand) Katavich would later create the OUT! business empire with Brett Sheppard. Links: GayNZ |
| 15 Apr 1935 | Eric Mareo murders his wife Themla Mareo (Auckland, New Zealand) Themla was also in a relationship with dancer Freda Stark. Links: Papers Past, Te Ara |
| 14 May 1935 | Physician and sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld dies (Nice, France) Hirschfeld dies of a heart attack on his 67th birthday. Links: Wikipedia |
| 11 Sep 1935 | Mountaineer Freda Du Faur dies (Sydney, Australia) Du Faur commits suicide. Links: Papers Past, Sydney Morning Herald, Te Ara |
| 26 Feb 1936 | Eric Mareo is found guilty of murdering Themla Mareo (Auckland, New Zealand) Mareo is sentenced to death. His sentence is later commuted to life imprisonment on 5 August 1936. Links: Papers Past, Te Ara |
| 5 Jul 1936 | Photographer Robert Gant dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Papers Past, WorldCat, PrideNZ.com |
| 5 Aug 1936 | Eric Mareo's death sentence is commuted to life in prison (New Zealand) Mareo was earlier found guilty and sentenced to death for the murder of his wife Thelma Mareo. Links: Papers Past |
| 26 Sep 1936 | Phillip Stewart is arrested in an Auckland hotel "dressed as a girl" (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Papers Past |
| 10 Oct 1936 | Entrepreneur and activist Carmen Trevor Rupe is born (Taumarunui, New Zealand) Links: Time Out Sydney |
| 1938 | Author William Taylor is born (New Zealand) Links: GayNZ.com |
| 10 Jun 1938 | Eugenia Falleni dies following injuries sustained in an accident (Sydney, Australia) The previous day Falleni had stepped off the pavement in front of a motorcar. Links: Wikipedia |
| 1941 | Academic and activist Alison Laurie is born (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com, National Library |
| 1941 | Flogging is removed as a punishment for homosexual acts (New Zealand) The punishment is removed from Section 137 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1867 (Unnatural Offences). In 1954 the punishment of hard labour is also removed. Links: Australasian Legal Information Institute, Early New Zealand Statutes |
| 1 Mar 1941 | Female impersonator and activist Johnny Croskery is born (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Tapatoru |
| 26 Jan 1942 | William Preen is arrested in the women's waiting room of the Timaru Railway Station (Timaru, New Zealand) Preen is suspected of being a spy when he is seen dressed in women's clothing. The court later hears that Preen's "lapse was the result of some craze to see how it would feel to dress like a woman". Links: Papers Past |
| 25 Mar 1942 | Writer and actor Richard O'Brien is born (Gloucestershire, United Kingdom) Links: Wikipedia |
| 27 Aug 1943 | US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visits New Zealand with her aide Norah Walton (New Zealand) Roosevelt is in New Zealand to inspect the American troops and the American Red Cross. Links: Papers Past, National Library |
| 29 Aug 1943 | Amy Bock dies (Auckland region, New Zealand) Bock dies at Bombay, south of Auckland, and is buried in the Pukekohe cemetery. Links: Te Ara |
| 7 Feb 1944 | Writer Witi Ihimaera is born (Gisborne region, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| 15 Jan 1945 | Poet Ursula Bethell dies (Christchurch, New Zealand) Bethell dies in Christchurch and is buried in the Rangiora cemetery. Links: Te Ara, PrideNZ.com |
| 24 Sep 1945 | Police interview two women about their recent marriage to each other (Auckland, New Zealand) The Evening Post headline reads "Strange Masquerade, Woman as Man." Links: Papers Past |
| 7 Nov 1945 | Garth Gilmour is arrested for breaking and entering (Dunedin, New Zealand) Gilmour is arrested dressed in female clothing. In a police statement Gilmour said it gave him a certain amount of satisfaction to dress in girl's clothes and he liked "flitting about from house to house." Links: Papers Past |
| 22 Nov 1945 | Two women appear in court after being found to be married and living as husband and wife (Auckland, New Zealand) The court orders both women to submit themselves to psychiatric treatment. Links: Papers Past |
| 29 Aug 1946 | Dana de Milo is born (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 13 May 1947 | Painter Frances Hodgkins dies (Dorset, United Kingdom) Hodgkins' ashes are returned to New Zealand and placed in the Field-Hodgkins family plot in the Waikanae cemetery near Wellington. Links: Te Ara, PrideNZ.com |
| 1949 | Academic and activist Ngahuia Te Awekotuku is born (Rotorua, New Zealand) Links: Book Council |
| Jun 1949 | Journalist and author Tom McLean is born (United Kingdom) McLean would later write the book If I Should Die about his personal journey with HIV AIDS. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, WorldCat |
| 1950 | Writer and film-maker Peter Wells is born (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia, New Zealand Book Council, The Spinoff |
| 11 Nov 1950 | The first meeting of the Mattachine Society is held (Los Angeles, United States of America) The Mattachine Society is one of the earliest homophile organisations in the USA. Links: Wikipedia, LAGANZ |
| 1952 | Paul De Rungs is court martialed after being charged with buggery (New Zealand) De Rungs, a 16-year old army cadet, had made a formal complaint about being raped. He was subsequently charged himself. Links: LAGANZ |
| 15 Jan 1952 | Maata Mahupuku dies (Palmerston North, New Zealand) Mahupuku is buried in the private burial ground of the Mahupuku family at Kehemane beyond Martinborough. Links: Te Ara, PrideNZ.com |
| 4 May 1952 | Politician Chris Carter is born (Auckland, New Zealand) Carter would later become the first openly gay Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Links: Wikipedia |
| 7 Oct 1952 | Politician and academic Marilyn Waring is born (New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| 1953 | Activist Mani Bruce Mitchell is born (Auckland, New Zealand) Mani is recognised as the first out intersex person in New Zealand. Links: Wikipedia, PrideNZ.com |
| 23 Apr 1953 | Charles Farthing is born (Christchurch, New Zealand) Farthing would later become a pioneering doctor specialising in the early recognition and treatment of HIV AIDS. Links: New Zealand Medical Journal, Wikipedia |
| 1954 | Hard labour is removed as a punishment for homosexual acts (New Zealand) The punishment is removed from Section 137 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1867 (Unnatural Offences). Links: Australasian Legal Information Institute, Early New Zealand Statutes |
| 3 Jun 1954 | AIDS activist and educator Tom O'Donoghue is born (New Zealand) O'Donoghue would later become a founding member of the National People Living With AIDS Union and Collective Thinking, a publication for people living with, or affected by, HIV AIDS. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, Tui Motu InterIslands Magazine |
| 7 Jun 1954 | Computer scientist and mathematician Alan Turing dies (United Kingdom) An inquest determined Turing had committed suicide. However Turing's mother believed that the cyanide poisoning was accidental, resulting from her son's careless storage of laboratory chemicals. |
| 22 Jun 1954 | Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme kill Pauline's mother Honora Rieper (Christchurch, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara, Wikipedia, PrideNZ.com |
| 30 Aug 1954 | Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme are convicted of murdering Pauline's mother Honora Rieper (Christchurch, New Zealand) Parker and Hulme were given indeterminate sentences in different prisons and released after five years. Links: Te Ara, Wikipedia, PrideNZ.com |
| 15 Sep 1954 | A committee chaired by Lord Wolfenden begins looking into homosexual offences and prostitution (United Kingdom) The resulting report is published in 1957. Links: Wikipedia |
| 1955 | Singer-songwriter Mahinarangi Tocker is born (Taumarunui, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| Oct 1955 | The Daughters of Bilitis is formed (San Francisco, United States of America) The Daughters of Bilitis is the first known lesbian rights organisation in the USA. Links: Wikipedia |
| 5 Oct 1955 | Dramatist and performer Paul Jenden is born (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Press Reader, GayNZ.com, Stuff |
| 9 Oct 1955 | Singer Shona Laing is born (New Zealand) Laing first came to prominence in 1972 as a 17-year-old schoolgirl, coming runner-up in the television talent show New Faces with her song 1905. Laing's biggest hit songs included (Glad I'm) Not a Kennedy and Soviet Snow. Links: Wikipedia |
| 1956 | Choreographer and dancer Douglas Wright is born (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| 28 Apr 1956 | Daniel Fielding is born (New Zealand) Fielding would later establish the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt in December 1988. Links: Tributes Online |
| 4 Sep 1957 | The Wolfenden report is published (United Kingdom) One of the recommendations in the report was that "homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private should no longer be a criminal offence." Links: Wikipedia |
| Nov 1957 | Politician Georgina Beyer is born (Wellington, New Zealand) Beyer would later become the world's first openly transsexual Mayor and Member of Parliament. Links: PrideNZ.com, Wikipedia |
| 4 Aug 1958 | Politician Tim Barnett is born (Warwickshire, United Kingdom) While in Parliament Barnett introduced the Prostitution Reform Bill 2003 and was also heavily involved in the Civil Union Bill 2004. Links: PrideNZ.com, Wikipedia, Parliament |
| 1959 | The Attorney-General H.G.R. Mason tries unsuccessfully to have the penalties for homosexual acts reduced (New Zealand) Links: Queer History NZ, Wikipedia |
| 21 Feb 1960 | Poet Walter D'Arcy Cresswell dies (London, United Kingdom) Cresswell dies of accidental gas poisioning. Links: Te Ara, GayNZ.net |
| 10 Sep 1960 | Plastic surgeon Harold Gillies dies (London, United Kingdom) Gillies is widely considered the father of plastic surgery and gender-reassignment surgery. Links: Wikipedia |
| 31 Oct 1960 | Darren Horn is born (New Zealand) Horn was an early convener of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 1961 | A Way of Love (1959) by James Courage is banned (New Zealand) The book is censored on "grounds of indecency, and because it lacked redeeming literary merit". It is banned under the censorship provisions in place prior to the setting up of the Indecent Publications Tribunal in 1964. Links: Te Ara, WorldCat |
| 1962 | The Dorian Society is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) The Society is the first documented organisation for homosexual men in New Zealand. Links: Wikipedia |
| 1962 | Two men are discharged without conviction for indecent acts (New Zealand) The Magistrate comments that the law "is soon to change". Police prosecutors appeal, and the decision is overturned |
| 1963 | The Dorian Society forms a legal subcommittee to work towards homosexual law reform (New Zealand) |
| 5 Oct 1963 | Writer James Courage dies (London, United Kingdom) Links: Te Ara |
| 1964 | The Purple Onion opens (Wellington, New Zealand) Pasi Daniels (a.k.a. Pasi Tunupopo) returns to Wellington after performing at Les Girls and the Purple Onion in Sydney to open Wellington's first drag revue club. Links: Stuff |
| 1964 | Writer Paula Boock is born (New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| 23 Jan 1964 | Charles Aberhart is beaten to death by a group of teenagers in Hagley Park (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 11 May 1964 | Six teenagers are acquitted by a jury of the manslaughter of Charles Aberhart (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 12 Aug 1965 | Tuini Moetu Haangu Ngawai dies (New Zealand) Ngawai was a prolific Ngati Porou songwriter, composer, teacher and shearer who had close relationships with women. One of Ngawai's most famous songs Arohaina mai became the unofficial hymn of the Maori Battalion. Links: Te Ara |
| 9 Jan 1966 | Carmen Rupe is arrested with behaving in an offensive manner in a public place (Auckland, New Zealand) The offensive manner was because Carmen was wearing female clothing: a black frock, black silk stockings and high-heeled shoes. "His face was made up with cosmetics and his hair was dressed in a feminine style." Links: WorldCat, Google Books |
| 24 Jan 1966 | Carmen Rupe appears in court charged with behaving in an offensive manner (Auckland, New Zealand) The charge relates to Rupe dressing in female clothing in public. Rupe challenges the charge. Links: WorldCat, Google Books |
| 26 Jan 1966 | Justice McCarthy dismisses the case against Carmen Rupe (Auckland, New Zealand) Justice McCarthy's decision notes that he is "quite unable to find anything in our law which says that it is unlawful for a male to attire himself in female clothing." Links: WorldCat, Google Books |
| Nov 1966 | Raewyn Petley is found dead in her bed with a deep wound to her neck (New Zealand) Doreen Ellen Davis is charged with her murder. |
| Mar 1967 | Doreen Ellen Davis is found not guilty of murdering Raewyn Petley (New Zealand) Davis' defence argued that she had been "befriended by a woman outwardly kind and sympathetic but inwardly a hunting lesbian" |
| 11 Apr 1967 | Stanley Waipouri is born (Auckland region, New Zealand) Waipouri was killed in Palmerston North in 2006. Links: GayNZ.com |
| 17 Apr 1967 | The Wolfenden Association is formed (New Zealand) The Association is soon renamed the New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society. |
| Jul 1967 | Lord Cobham declines an invitation to be patron of the Wolfenden Association (New Zealand) Lord Cobham replied that "these people are mentally sick." |
| 28 Jul 1967 | The Sexual Offences Act 1967 decriminalises homosexual acts in England and Wales (United Kingdom) The age of consent is set at 21. |
| 1968 | A petition signed by 75 prominent New Zealanders calling for homosexual law reform is presented to parliament (New Zealand) |
| 1968 | Writer and musician Hinemoana Baker is born (New Zealand) |
| 29 Feb 1968 | Composer Gareth Farr is born (New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia, NZ on Screen |
| 1969 | Aquarius Inc. is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The social group is established in the late 1960s (exact date unknown). |
| 28 Jun 1969 | The Stonewall riots take place (New York, United States of America) Links: Wikipedia |
| 1970 | The Society for Promotion of Community Standards is formed (New Zealand) The Society is a conservative Judeo-Christian lobby group who oppose, among other things, the promotion of equal rights for lesbians and gays. The Society was founded by Patricia Bartlett, a former nun. Links: Wikipedia |
| 7 Apr 1970 | Composer Benjamin Britten and his partner Peter Pears tour New Zealand (New Zealand) The visit was part of a tour to generate money for the rebuilding of the concert hall at The Maltings. Links: Music Web |
| 1971 | The KG (Kamp Girls) Club is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The KG is a social club for lesbians held in private homes. |
| 1971 | Up From Under magazine is published by Wellington Women's Liberation Front (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 19 Sep 1971 | Ngahuia Te Awekotuku leads women's liberation in a Suffrage Day of Mourning (New Zealand) |
| 1972 | The group Gay Liberation Front Christchurch is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 1972 | The group Gay Liberation Front Victoria University of Wellington is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1972 | The University Gay Liberation Auckland group is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The group diverged from Gay Liberation Auckland. |
| 1972 | The University of Canterbury Gay Activists Society is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) The group is later renamed Gay University Students' Society (GUSS). |
| Mar 1972 | Ngahuia Te Awekotuku is refused a United States visa because she is a known "sexual deviant" (New Zealand) |
| Apr 1972 | The first National Women's Liberation Conference is held (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| May 1972 | The group Gay Liberation Front Auckland is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The group is later renamed Gay Liberation Auckland Inc. |
| Jun 1972 | The first Gay Pride week is held in New Zealand (New Zealand) |
| Jul 1972 | The Broadsheet publication begins (Auckland, New Zealand) It was New Zealand's first feminist magazine. |
| Aug 1972 | The first National Gay and Lesbian conference is held (Auckland, New Zealand) The conferences are held every year until 1989 (except 1983). |
| 1973 | The first United Women's Convention has a workshop for "homosexual" women (New Zealand) |
| 1973 | The group Sisters for Homophile Equality (SHE) Canterbury Inc. is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) S.H.E. was one of the earliest specifically lesbian groups to emerge from Gay Liberation. |
| 1973 | The group Sisters for Homophile Equality (SHE) Wellington is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1973 | The University of Canterbury Gay Activists' Society is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 1973 | The Victoria University Feminist Group is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1973 | G.L.F. Gay Liberation Front is published (New Zealand) |
| Mar 1973 | The Gay-Aid phone counseling service is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 20 May 1973 | Writer and poet Charles Brasch dies (New Zealand) |
| Jun 1973 | The cover of Broadsheet shows two lesbians (New Zealand) |
| 24 Jun 1973 | Gay Pride Week activities are held (New Zealand) Activities are held throughout New Zealand. In Dunedin the week runs from Sunday 24 - Saturday 30 June. Links: National Library |
| 29 Jun 1973 | A Gay Liberation march and rally takes place at Dunedin Town Hall (Dunedin, New Zealand) The rally is part of Gay Pride Week activities. Links: National Library |
| Nov 1973 | The group Rotorua Gay Liberation Front is formed (Rotorua, New Zealand) |
| Dec 1973 | Circle publication begins (Wellington, New Zealand) Published by Sisters for Homophile Equality (SHE), it is later renamed Lesbian Feminist Circle. |
| 1974 | Gay Liberation Front Victoria University of Wellington ends (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1974 | Herstory Press is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1974 | The Women's Centre opens (Christchurch, New Zealand) The Centre is established by radical feminists, members of SHE and the Socialist Action League. |
| Mar 1974 | Gay activists talk to a Lincoln High School liberal studies class (Canterbury region, New Zealand) |
| Mar 1974 | Gay Feminist Collective is formed (New Zealand) |
| Mar 1974 | Gay Liberation Nelson is formed (Nelson, New Zealand) |
| Mar 1974 | The first National Lesbian Conference is held (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| Mar 1974 | The Lesbian Club is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Apr 1974 | Circle magazine is marked "strictly not for men" (New Zealand) It is later changed to "women only". |
| Jul 1974 | Labour Prime Minister Norman Kirk opposes the Crimes Amendment Bill (New Zealand) Kirk is quoted as saying homosexuality is "unnatural". |
| Jul 1974 | National MP Venn Young introduces the Crimes Amendment Bill (1974) (New Zealand) The Bill is the first parliamentary attempt at homosexual law reform. The age of consent is set at 21. |
| 1975 | Auckland Gay Welfare Group is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The group later becomes the Auckland Gay/Lesbian Welfare Group (circa 1984). |
| 1975 | Carmen Rupe announces she knows of gay and bisexual members of Parliament (Wellington, New Zealand) Carmen is required to apologise by Parliament's Privileges Committee. Links: Te Ara, Te Papa |
| 1975 | Club 69 is formed (New Zealand) The social club was established circa 1975 (exact date unknown). |
| 1975 | Gay Liberation Front Taranaki (GLT) is formed (Taranaki region, New Zealand) GLT is later renamed Taranaki Gay Society. |
| 1975 | The Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) In 1980 CHE moved its operations to Wellington. |
| 1975 | The Gay Publishing Collective is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The Collective publishes New Zealand Gay News. It later becomes OUT! Magazine in 1976. Links: NZ.com, LAGANZ |
| Feb 1975 | Members of SHE Christchurch help organise the first Women's Refuge conference (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| Feb 1975 | The second National Lesbian Conference is held (New Zealand) |
| May 1975 | The Dorian Society Christchurch is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| Jun 1975 | The United Women's Convention is held (Wellington, New Zealand) An estimated 200 women attended the lesbian feminist workshop. |
| Jul 1975 | A Parliamentary Select Committee reports back on the Crimes Amendment Bill (New Zealand) The Committee recommends the age of consent be reduced from 21 to 20. |
| Jul 1975 | Labour MP Gerald Wall moves an amendment to the Crimes Amendment Bill (New Zealand) The amendment proposes that any communication to people under 20 that homosexuality is normal is punishable by two years imprisonment. |
| 4 Jul 1975 | The Crimes Amendment Bill is defeated 34 to 29 (with 23 abstentions) (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| Nov 1975 | Robin Duff stands in the General Election as an openly gay candidate for the Values party (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 1976 | Befriend is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) The group was earlier known as Gays-An and was one of the earliest counseling services in Christchurch. |
| 1976 | Daybreak, New Zealand's first feminist bookshop opens (Dunedin, New Zealand) |
| 1976 | Eros Northland is formed (Whangarei, New Zealand) The social group was provisionally named The 'G' Club. |
| 1976 | Gay Teachers and Students Union is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) The Union is later renamed Gays in Education in 1981. |
| 1976 | Labour MP Gerald O'Brien is charged with molesting two boys (Christchurch, New Zealand) It was alleged that O'Brien asked them back to his motel room for a drink. The charges were thrown out at a depositions hearing. Later O'Brien commented it was an "attempt by my political enemies to get rid of me." Links: Wikipedia, Stuff |
| 1976 | National MP Marilyn Waring is outed by the Truth newspaper (New Zealand) |
| 1976 | OUT! Magazine begins publication (Auckland, New Zealand) OUT! was mostly edited by Brett Sheppard and was published by Tony Katavich. Links: NZ.com, LAGANZ |
| 1976 | Spiral women's art magazine begins (New Zealand) |
| Apr 1976 | Diana Marvel Speaks magazine begins (Wellington, New Zealand) The magazine is published by a Radical Feminist Caucus including members of the Wellington Feminist Collective. |
| Jun 1976 | Activists from Wellington Gay Liberation picket the National Party conference (Rotorua, New Zealand) |
| Sep 1976 | The Back Street Theatre tours the country (New Zealand) The theatre group is formed by the National Radical Feminist Caucus. |
| 20 Oct 1976 | The National Gay Rights Coalition is formed (New Zealand) The coalition comes out of the fifth National Gay and Lesbian Conference held in Wellington. |
| 7 Nov 1976 | National Prime Minister Robert Muldoon accuses Colin Moyle of having been picked up for homosexual practices (New Zealand) |
| 1 Dec 1976 | Matthew Shepard is born (Wyoming, United States of America) Shepard was murdered in October 1998 in Wyoming by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson. Links: Wikipedia |
| 1977 | Gay Liberation Auckland Inc. ends (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 1977 | Gay Pride Week activities are organised (Whanganui, New Zealand) |
| 1977 | Labour MP Colin Moyle resigns from Parliament (New Zealand) Moyle resigns after it is made public by Prime Minister Robert Muldoon that he had been questioned by the police on suspicion of homosexual activities. |
| 1977 | Lesbians demand and get the removal of male reporters from the United Women's Convention (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 1977 | National Gay Rights Coalition Resource Centre opens (Wellington, New Zealand) The Centre later becomes the Lesbian and Gay Rights Resource Centre. |
| 1977 | The Alliance group is formed (Otago region, New Zealand) The group later becomes the Otago Gay Equality Society in May 1978. |
| 1977 | The Amazons lesbian softball team is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1977 | Wanganui Gay Rights Group is formed (Whanganui, New Zealand) |
| Jan 1977 | A lesbian summer camp is held (Canterbury region, New Zealand) The camp is held at Glentui in North Canterbury. |
| Jan 1977 | The Campaign to Oppose Persecution begins (Wellington, New Zealand) The campaign was in response to scandals involving allegations of homosexuality against Members of Parliament. |
| Jan 1977 | The first New Year's camp at Vinegar Hill takes place (Rangitikei region, New Zealand) Links: Vinegar Hill |
| 8 Jan 1977 | A meeting is held to set up the National Gay Rights Coalition of New Zealand (New Zealand) |
| Feb 1977 | Gay Liberation pickets the Labour Party conference for failing to defend MP Colin Moyle (New Zealand) |
| Feb 1977 | The Auckland Gay Social Club is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The club later becomes the Laetus Social Club in March 1978. |
| Feb 1977 | The social Hawkes Bay Gay Society is formed (Hawke's Bay region, New Zealand) |
| Mar 1977 | Christchurch Women's Liberation Collective is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| Apr 1977 | Lesbians Ignite Fire Brigade is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| May 1977 | Lesbians picket Parliament for the repeal of abortion laws (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| May 1977 | The Lesbian Club ends (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Jul 1977 | Parliament refuses to include sexual orientation in the new Human Rights Commission Act (New Zealand) Currently there is no protection against discrimination in work and living situations. |
| 1 Jul 1977 | Gay Pride Week activities are organised throughout the country (New Zealand) |
| Aug 1977 | Manawatu Gay Rights Association (MAGRA) is formed (Palmerston North, New Zealand) The Association is later renamed Manawatu Lesbian and Gay Rights Association (MALGRA). It is New Zealand's longest running LGBTI rainbow rights and social organisation. Links: NZ.com, LAGANZ |
| Oct 1977 | A National Gay Rights Coalition conference is held (New Zealand) |
| 1978 | Auckland Gay Rights Activists is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 1978 | Gay Liberation Front Christchurch ends (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 1978 | Gay Rights of Waikato is formed (Waikato region, New Zealand) |
| 1978 | The social Victoria Club is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1978 | The Taranaki Gay Society is formed (Taranaki region, New Zealand) The Society grew out of Gay Liberation Taranaki. |
| Mar 1978 | The Laetus Social Club is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The Club grew out of the Auckland Gay Social Club. |
| Nov 1978 | Robin Duff and Sandy Gauntlett stand in the General Election (New Zealand) They are both openly gay candidates for the Values Party. |
| 27 Nov 1978 | Harvey Milk is assassinated (San Francisco, United States of America) Links: Wikipedia |
| 30 Nov 1978 | Diplomat Alister McIntosh dies |
| 1979 | Breathing Space, a coming-out group for lesbians is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1979 | Gay Switchboard is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1979 | Help End Repressive Attitudes (HERA) is formed (Dunedin, New Zealand) HERA is a support group for lesbians. |
| 1979 | Labour MP Warren Freer introduces a Crimes Amendment Bill to decriminalise homosexual acts (New Zealand) The Bill has a proposed age of consent of 20. |
| 1979 | The first Reclaim The Night march is held (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1979 | The Gay Community Centre opens (Wellington, New Zealand) The Centre is located at 6 Boulcott Street. Links: LAGANZ |
| 1979 | The Gay Health Workers Alliance is formed (New Zealand) |
| 1979 | The Hecate Women's Health Collective opens (Wellington, New Zealand) The Collective is located at 6 Boulcott Street. |
| 1979 | The Otago Gay Support Group is formed (Otago region, New Zealand) |
| 1979 | The Otago University Gay Rights Society is formed (Otago region, New Zealand) |
| 1979 | The Taranaki Gay Society ends (Taranaki region, New Zealand) |
| 1979 | The Women's Resource Centre opens (Wellington, New Zealand) The Centre is located at 6 Boulcott Street. |
| 15 Apr 1979 | Ascent Wellington is formed for gay and lesbian Catholics (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| May 1979 | The Nelson Gay Welfare group is formed (Nelson, New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ |
| 14 May 1979 | Pink Triangle magazine begins (New Zealand) The magazine is produced by the National Gay Rights Coalition and is an important source of news and feature articles. The magazine is distributed nationally, with the first issue published on 14 May 1979. The magazine's last issue is September/October 1990. Links: Auckland Museum |
| Aug 1979 | Ascent Christchurch is formed for gay and lesbian Catholics (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| Aug 1979 | Geyserland Gay Club is formed (Rotorua, New Zealand) |
| Dec 1979 | Nelson Gay Society is formed (Nelson, New Zealand) The Society grew out of the Nelson Gay Welfare Group. |
| Dec 1979 | Puss-in-Boots bar is picketed for excluding lesbians and gays (New Zealand) |
| 1980 | Gay Liberation Wellington ends (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1980 | Gays In Education is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) It is later renamed to Gays and Lesbians are Everywhere in Education (GLEE). |
| 1980 | Herstory Press ends (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1980 | Labour MP Warren Freer again proposes homosexual law reform (New Zealand) |
| 1980 | Lesbian Action for Visibility in Aotearoa (LAVA) is formed (New Zealand) The lesbian feminist separatist group is formed in the 1980s (specific date unknown). |
| 1980 | Lesbian Liberation Week is held (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1980 | The Gay Health Workers Alliance ends (New Zealand) |
| 1980 | The Gay Information Centre is established (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 1980 | The group Auckland Gay Rights Activists ends (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 1980 | The group Gay Rights of Waikato ends (Waikato region, New Zealand) |
| 1980 | The Lesbian Legal Advisory Committee is formed (New Zealand) |
| 1980 | The Lesbian Mothers' Defence Fund is formed (New Zealand) |
| 1980 | The Network Group is formed to oppose the Warren Freer Bill (New Zealand) |
| 1980 | The play Blood of the Lamb by Bruce Mason premieres (Christchurch, New Zealand) The play focuses on a lesbian couple with child. |
| 1980 | Behind Enemy Lines newsletter begins (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1980 | Bitches, Witches and Dykes newsletter begins (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| Feb 1980 | The Auckland Gay Task Force is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The group is formed as a result of the Westside Sauna raid. Links: LAGANZ |
| 1 Feb 1980 | Police raid Westside Sauna (Auckland, New Zealand) Eight men are arrested and charged. |
| 8 Feb 1980 | 600 people march to protest the raids on the Westside Sauna and OUT! Magazine (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 22 Feb 1980 | Another protest march takes place against the police raids on the Westside Sauna and OUT! Magazine (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| Mar 1980 | Female impersonator Danny La Rue films Danny Down Under for TVNZ (New Zealand) Filmed over 3 days Danny Down Under features Irish-born entertainer Danny Le Rue and comedians John Cadsby and David McPhail. Links: NZ On Screen |
| Mar 1980 | The Lesbian Centre opens (Wellington, New Zealand) The Centre is located at 6 Boulcott Street. |
| Mar 1980 | The Lesbian Liberation Army attacks the offices of the Sunday News after it runs an anti-lesbian story (New Zealand) |
| 7 Mar 1980 | Lesbians march to mark International Lesbian Day (8 March) (New Zealand) |
| 20 Mar 1980 | The Lesbian Mothers Defence Fund present a submission to the Select Committee considering the Guardianship Amendment Bill (New Zealand) |
| 30 Mar 1980 | The Metropolitan Community Church of the Resurrection is formed (New Zealand) |
| 5 Apr 1980 | The 8th National Gay Rights Conference is held (Dunedin, New Zealand) |
| 24 Apr 1980 | Arthur Ball stabs Miles MacFarlane to death (Wellington, New Zealand) MacFarlane is a total stranger to Ball, who is later found not guilty on the grounds of insanity. |
| 25 Apr 1980 | A group of lesbians attempt to augment an ANZAC Day service by carrying a coffin and laying a wreath in memory of women raped and killed in wartime (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| May 1980 | A group of gay men organise a National Offenders Day march to protest anti-gay laws in a carnival atmosphere (New Zealand) Lesbians dykecott the march saying it fails to challenge the status quo. |
| May 1980 | New Zealand's first gay feature film Squeeze premieres (New Zealand) The film was originally titled Night Moves. |
| Jun 1980 | A street-walk for lesbian visibility is held (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Jun 1980 | Lesbians and gay men picket the Russian embassy to protest at the treatment of homosexuals in the USSR (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Jun 1980 | The Warren Freer Bill is abandoned due to lack of support (New Zealand) |
| 22 Jun 1980 | Gay Pride Week events take place (New Zealand) Activities are held in Auckland, Gisborne, Wellington and Dunedin. In Auckland, the week runs from Sunday 22- Sunday 29 June. Links: Auckland Museum |
| Jul 1980 | Mayor Michael Fowler stops a lesbian community notice being displayed on Wellington City Council buses (Wellington, New Zealand) Fowler objects to the notice that invites lesbians to "contact your local community". |
| Jul 1980 | The Gay Information Centre opens (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 7 Jul 1980 | Lesbians and gays again picket the Russian embassy in protest at oppression in the USSR (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 21 Jul 1980 | Enzo Francone attempts to chain himself to the railings in front of the Kremlin in Red Square (Moscow, Russia) Francone is protesting Article 121 of the Russian penal code, and for the release of two imprisoned gay men. He is beaten by police. Links: ILGA |
| Sep 1980 | A group of lesbians join protests against the US nuclear-powered warship Truxtun (Wellington, New Zealand) The group holds a banner reading "Lesbian Activity Today Stops Radioactivity Tomorrow." |
| Sep 1980 | A workshop on lesbianism is held during the first national hui for Black women (New Zealand) |
| Sep 1980 | Chief Human Rights Commissioner Pat Downey rejects National Gay Rights Coalition submissions (New Zealand) Downey says discrimination is justified in some circumstances. |
| Sep 1980 | Gays and lesbians are banned from the Cantabrian Hotel (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 16 Sep 1980 | Arthur Ball is found not guilty of murdering Miles MacFarlane (on the grounds of insanity) (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Oct 1980 | The National Gay Rights Coalition of New Zealand is published (New Zealand) The publication is a mail-out to members of minutes of a meeting of the Coalition's executive, held in Wellington on 27 and 28 September. Links: WorldCat |
| 4 Oct 1980 | The first Lesbian Librarians' Week is held (New Zealand) Events take place in Wellington and Christchurch. |
| 10 Oct 1980 | 200 women take part in a lesbian march (Wellington, New Zealand) It is followed by a Lesbian Liberation Dance attended by 300 people. |
| Nov 1980 | Overnight Wellington City Council buses are covered in stickers promoting the Wellington Lesbian Centre (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Dec 1980 | Lesbians paste up anti-Christmas posters (Wellington, New Zealand) Posters appear in Wellington and Hastings. |
| 1981 | The 9th National Gay Rights Conference is held (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 1981 | The Gay Welfare Conference is held (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 1981 | The Otago Gay Support group ends (Otago region, New Zealand) |
| 1981 | The Waxing Moon archive begins in Hamilton (Hamilton, New Zealand) |
| 1981 | The Women's Place bookshop opens (Wellington, New Zealand) The bookshop is located in Cuba Street. |
| 1981 | The Young Gays Group is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The group is formed circa 1981 and works closely with the University Gays Group. |
| 1981 | The Young Lesbian and Gay group is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 1981 | University Gay Liberation Auckland ends (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 1981 | How to work with the media: a manual for lesbian and gay rights groups is published (New Zealand) The manual is published by the National Gay Rights Coalition of New Zealand. |
| Jan 1981 | Gays and lesbians picket the office of the Human Rights Commission (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Feb 1981 | Lesbians picket the Human Rights Commission office (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 6 Feb 1981 | Lesbians carry a "Lesbians Oppose Racism" banner to protest Waitangi commemorations (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Mar 1981 | Lesbians dykecott the census in protest at the Human Rights Commission's denial of human rights (New Zealand) |
| 30 Mar 1981 | The Lesbian Gay Media Collective is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) The group produces New Zealand's first Lesbian and Gay radio programme during Pride 1981 for Wellington Access Radio. The group later merges with the Pink Triangle Publishing Collective in 1982. |
| Apr 1981 | National Lesbian Mothers' weekend is held (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 5 Apr 1981 | The first broadcast of Wellington Access Radio (Wellington, New Zealand) Wellington Access Radio was the first community access radio station to broadcast regularly in New Zealand. The first broadcast featured the feminist show Leave Your Dishes in the Sink which is lesbian run and lesbian-oriented (although it wasn't explicitly stated). |
| 25 Apr 1981 | "Lesbian Liberation" is painted on a war memorial (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Jun 1981 | A lesbian activist weekend is held (New Zealand) |
| Jun 1981 | The Grey Lynn / Ponsonby Black Women's collective holds a Black Dykes' hui (Waiheke Island, New Zealand) |
| 5 Jun 1981 | CDC reports five previously young, healthy gay men in Los Angeles having PCP (United States of America) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report later is acknowledged as the first published scientific account of what would become known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). |
| 21 Jun 1981 | Gay Pride Week takes place (New Zealand) A poster has the text "After thousands of years in hiding, we are moving into the light. Our right to live, our right to love". The week runs until 28 June. Links: Te Papa |
| 28 Jun 1981 | Possibly the first-ever (by/for/about) gay radio broadcast takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) The Gay Radio programme is broadcast on Wellington Access Radio - New Zealand's first community access radio station. It is produced as part of Gay Pride Week 1981. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 10 Jul 1981 | Wellington Mayor Michael Fowler is picketed (San Francisco, United States of America) A Chamber of Commerce dinner honouring Michael Fowler is picketed. Fowler had earlier stopped lesbian support notices being placed in Wellington City Council buses. |
| Sep 1981 | Lesbians and Gays Against Racism is formed during the campaign against the Springbok rugby tour (New Zealand) |
| 1982 | Daybreak - New Zealand's first feminist bookshop closes (New Zealand) |
| Jan 1982 | The group Gays in Education ends (New Zealand) |
| 1 Mar 1982 | Writer Frank Sargeson dies (New Zealand) |
| Apr 1982 | Mobilisation for the Opening of Parliament is formed (New Zealand) |
| 27 Jun 1982 | Gay Pride Week takes place (New Zealand) The week runs until 3 July. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 17 Jul 1982 | Eve van Grafhorst is born (New South Wales, Australia) Links: Wikipedia |
| 22 Apr 1983 | The Topp Twins perform at Circa Theatre (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 2 May 1983 | The first international AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held (San Francisco, United States of America) Memorials are held in San Francisco and New York. There was no memorial held in 1984. |
| Aug 1983 | The Gay and Lesbian Information Centre is formed (Dunedin, New Zealand) It is later absorbed by the Otago Gay and Lesbian Welfare Council in 1984. |
| 12 Dec 1983 | The Laetus Social Club ends (New Zealand) |
| 1984 | The Lesbian Community Programme begins broadcasting weekly on Wellington Access Radio (Wellington, New Zealand) The programme is probably the longest running community radio braodcast in New Zealand. |
| 1984 | The National Gay Rights Coalition of New Zealand ends (New Zealand) |
| 1984 | The Otago Lesbian and Gay Welfare Council is formed (Otago region, New Zealand) |
| 1984 | The Wanganui Gay Rights Group ends (Whanganui, New Zealand) |
| 9 Mar 1984 | An interview with New Zealand's first AIDS patient is broadcast on TV One (New Plymouth, New Zealand) The 29-year-old man had been infected overseas and had come back to New Plymouth. He dies shortly after the interview is broadcast. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision |
| 10 Apr 1984 | Customs officials raid Gay's the Word bookstore (London, United Kingdom) The raid was named Operation Tiger and the bookstore was subsequently charged with conspiring to import indecent literature. |
| 22 May 1984 | The New South Wales government votes to decriminalise male homosexual acts (New South Wales, Australia) The age of consent is set at 18 (it is 16 for heterosexual and lesbian couples). The law is enacted on 8 June 1984. Links: Wikipedia |
| 1 Jun 1984 | The AIDS Support Network is established (New Zealand) The Network has branches throughout the country, including Auckland. The Wellington branch is established by Bruce Burnett, Phil Parkinson, Bill Logan and possibly others. Links: GayNZ.net, LAGANZ |
| 8 Jun 1984 | Male homosexual activity becomes legal in New South Wales (New South Wales, Australia) The age of consent is set at 18 (it is 16 for heterosexual and lesbian couples). Links: Wikipedia |
| 7 Jul 1984 | MP Fran Wilde meets with members of the gay community to discuss law reform options (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ |
| Aug 1984 | A survey indicates that the new Parliament may be more supportive of homosexual law reform (New Zealand) The survey is conducted by the Pink Triangle magazine. 15 of the new 23 MPs support both decriminalisation and human rights legislation. Links: LAGANZ |
| Aug 1984 | Bruce Burnett begins a nationwide one-person AIDS education roadshow (New Zealand) |
| 1 Sep 1984 | The Wellington Gay Task Force is formed (Wellington, New Zealand) The group is formed by John McDavitt, Bill Logan and others. Links: LAGANZ (1), LAGANZ (2) |
| Oct 1984 | The media report that a non-hospitalised person with HIV AIDS is living in Wellington (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ |
| 22 Oct 1984 | Churches in New Zealand attempt to block the television series Jesus the Evidence (New Zealand) The BBC series contains references to homosexuality. Links: YouTube |
| 5 Nov 1984 | The media reports AIDS antibodies are found in donated blood products (New Zealand) |
| 6 Nov 1984 | The Christchurch Gay Task Force is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ |
| 10 Nov 1984 | The Auckland Gay Task Force is reformed to campaign for homosexual law reform (Auckland, New Zealand) The main spokesperson for the group is Peter Wall. Links: LAGANZ (1), LAGANZ (2) |
| 16 Nov 1984 | The media reports that the Government is tightening screening for blood donors due to the risk of AIDS transmission (New Zealand) |
| 17 Nov 1984 | The media reports the Health Department will setup an AIDS hotline (New Zealand) |
| 1985 | The Dunedin Gay Task Force is formed (Dunedin, New Zealand) |
| 1985 | The Gisborne Gay Task Force is formed (Gisborne, New Zealand) The Task Force consisted of Trevor Lawler and Chris Piesse who who left the area in the face of anti-gay discrimination and harassment. |
| 1985 | The Greater Auckland Business Association (GABA) is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The Association later renames to the Gay Auckland Business Association. |
| 1985 | The group Accept: Human Rights for Homosexuals is formed (Nelson, New Zealand) |
| 1985 | The group Campaign for Tolerance is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) The largely heterosexual group is set up to support the homosexual law reform campaign. |
| Jan 1985 | The Hawke's Bay Gay Society ends (Hawke's Bay region, New Zealand) |
| 12 Jan 1985 | A lesbian camp is held (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 2 Feb 1985 | Gay BC begins broadcasting a weekly programme on Wellington Access Radio (Wellington, New Zealand) The Gay Broadcasting Collective is formed to connect the community and advocate for homosexual law reform. Links: LAGANZ (1), LAGANZ (2) |
| 2 Feb 1985 | Jeff Whittington is born (Wellington, New Zealand) Whittington was later murdered in Wellington by Jason Meads and Stephen Smith in May 1999. Links: Wikipedia |
| 19 Feb 1985 | Civil libertarian Walter Scott dies (New Zealand) |
| 8 Mar 1985 | Labour MP Fran Wilde introduces the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in Parliament (New Zealand) The Bill passes its first reading 51 to 24 votes. Links: PrideNZ.com, Wikipedia, LAGANZ |
| 14 Mar 1985 | MPs Geoff Braybrooke, Graeme Lee, Norman Jones and Alan Wallbank launch the anti-homosexual law reform petition (New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ |
| 18 Mar 1985 | The AIDS Support Network becomes a charitable trust (New Zealand) The name is changed to the AIDS Support Network Trust. Links: LAGANZ, GayNZ.net |
| 20 Mar 1985 | Keith Hay and Peter Tait take over the anti-homosexual law reform petition (New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ |
| 21 Mar 1985 | The Salvation Army announces it will administer the anti-homosexual law reform petition (New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ |
| 27 Mar 1985 | The anti-homosexual law reform petition is circulated in some schools (New Zealand) Links: Nga Taonga |
| 30 Mar 1985 | Roman Catholic Cardinal Tom Williams speaks out against the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) Williams appears on TV 1 news. |
| 31 Mar 1985 | Homosexual law reform campaigners picket Salvation Army citadels throughout the country (New Zealand) The Salvation Army is a vocal opponent of homosexual law reform. |
| 2 Apr 1985 | The media reports the Auckland Blood Transfusion Service is sampling AIDS testing kits (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 11 Apr 1985 | The Government announces funding for a blood screening program to combat the spread of AIDS (New Zealand) |
| 12 Apr 1985 | A public meeting is held on the North Shore to debate homosexual law reform (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision |
| 13 Apr 1985 | Large numbers of homosexual law reform campaigners disrupt an anti-reform rally (New Zealand) |
| 13 Apr 1985 | The National Council of Churches votes in support of decriminalising homosexuality (New Zealand) |
| 14 Apr 1985 | A public debate is held on the Homosexual Law Reform Bill at the Wellington Town Hall (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 26 Apr 1985 | Public submissions close on the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) |
| May 1985 | A street march takes place to support homosexual law reform (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 6 May 1985 | A lesbian and gay commemoration of the Holocaust is held on the steps of the National War Memorial (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ |
| 19 May 1985 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) The memorial services are held annually on the third Sunday in May. |
| 21 May 1985 | A rally in support of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill is held (Wellington, New Zealand) The rally is held in Wellington Town Hall, starting at 8pm. The rally is billed as "entertainment, speakers, and lots of fun". Links: Te Papa |
| 21 May 1985 | The pro-homosexual law reform Bigot Busters rally is held at the Wellington Town Hall (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com, LAGANZ |
| 22 May 1985 | The Human Rights Commission comes out in support of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) |
| 24 May 1985 | A march in support of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) People are asked to assemble in Bunny Street at 6.30pm Links: Te Papa |
| 24 May 1985 | A rally in support of homosexual law reform is held in the Auckland Town Hall (Auckland, New Zealand) The event is emceed by a Topp Twin and features music, dance and speeches. |
| 24 May 1985 | Dr David Cooper is interviewed about how homosexual law reform may impact the spread of AIDS (New Zealand) The interview is broadcast on Eyewitness News, TV1. |
| 26 May 1985 | The media reports claims that Gay visibility week has resulted in harassment (New Zealand) |
| 1 Jun 1985 | AIDS activist and educator Bruce Burnett dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ, LAGANZ |
| 5 Jun 1985 | The media reports self-defense courses for gay men are becoming more popular (New Zealand) This follows a reported increase in gay bashings as the Homosexual Law Reform Bill moves through Parliament. |
| 10 Jun 1985 | A public meeting is held to discuss homosexual law reform (Auckland, New Zealand) Labour MP Fran Wilde goes head-to-head with opponents of the Bill. |
| 10 Jun 1985 | Three more people are diagnosed with AIDS in New Zealand promoting health warnings (New Zealand) |
| 18 Jun 1985 | The group Heterosexuals Unafraid of Gays (HUG) is formed (New Zealand) The group is set up to support the homosexual law reform campaign. Links: LAGANZ |
| 18 Jun 1985 | The media reports calls for homosexual law reform to help reduce the spread of AIDS (New Zealand) |
| 14 Jul 1985 | Artist Theo Schoon dies |
| 24 Jul 1985 | The media reports New Zealand's first locally-contracted case of AIDS (Wellington, New Zealand) The Health Department says the man from Wellington hadn't been overseas - but this is disputed by a Gay Task force spokesperson. |
| 6 Aug 1985 | American Presbyterian Pastor Louis P. Sheldon warns New Zealand about homosexual law reform (New Zealand) Sheldon founded the Traditional Values Coalition in 1984. He is invited to New Zealand in 1985 to oppose law reform. Links: Wikipedia |
| 6 Aug 1985 | The media reports blood testing kits are now available to test for AIDS (New Zealand) |
| 9 Aug 1985 | The media reports on an AIDS awareness campaign that will cost half a million dollars (New Zealand) |
| 30 Aug 1985 | The national gay and lesbian Bigot Busters Conference is held (Wellington, New Zealand) Approximately 150 people attend the conference at Victoria University. Links: LAGANZ |
| Sep 1985 | The New Zealand AIDS Foundation is formed (New Zealand) The Foundation grows out of the AIDS Support Network, after receiving a Government grant in April 1985. |
| 8 Sep 1985 | Activist Alison Laurie appears on television to debate homosexual law reform (New Zealand) Laurie is responding to Barry Reid, a staunch opponent of law reform. The programme airs on TV1 at 9.30pm. |
| 9 Sep 1985 | The media reports New Zealand's eleventh case of AIDS (New Zealand) |
| 11 Sep 1985 | A picket in support of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) The picket takes place at the Queen Victoria statue on Cambridge Terrace. |
| 13 Sep 1985 | A march in support of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) People assemble in Bunny Street at 6.30pm. They then walk along Lambton Quay. Some scuffles break out between marchers and anti-reform protesters. Links: Te Papa |
| 24 Sep 1985 | The Coalition of Concerned Citizens present an anti-homosexual law reform petition to Parliament (Wellington, New Zealand) The petition reportedly has 800,000 signatures, but this is later discredited. Links: Te Papa |
| 26 Sep 1985 | The segment "Rise of the Moral Majority" screens as part of Close Up on TV1 (New Zealand) The current affairs programme examines Christian political activism and homosexual law reform. |
| 2 Oct 1985 | Actor Rock Hudson dies from AIDS-related complications (Los Angeles, United States of America) Links: Wikipedia |
| 2 Oct 1985 | The Select Committee investigating the Homosexual Law Reform Bill votes to end public hearings (New Zealand) The Committee ends public hearings despite 85 people still waiting to be heard. |
| 8 Oct 1985 | The Homosexual Law Reform Bill is returned to Parliament from the Select Committee (New Zealand) |
| 9 Oct 1985 | The second reading of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill begins in Parliament (New Zealand) The second reading will take four weeks. Links: PrideNZ.com, LAGANZ |
| 16 Oct 1985 | The second reading of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill continues in Parliament (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 21 Oct 1985 | Testing of all donated blood for AIDS antibodies begins (New Zealand) |
| 23 Oct 1985 | The second reading of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill continues in Parliament (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 5 Nov 1985 | Parliament debates the petition against the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 6 Nov 1985 | The second reading of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill continues in Parliament (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 20 Nov 1985 | The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) considers the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 1986 | The Lesbian Feminist Circle publication ends (New Zealand) |
| 2 Jan 1986 | Artist Leo Bensemann dies (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| Mar 1986 | The first annual Wellington Lesbian and Gay Fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) According to Des Smith, one of the founders, the fair took place on either the 8th or 15th March 1986. The fair was promoted as "a fair for a fair law" which referred to homosexual law reform. The fair was generally held in the second week of March so that it didn't clash with Sydney's Mardi Gras. |
| 5 Mar 1986 | The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 18 Mar 1986 | The documentary Love Life AIDS is broadcast on TV1 (New Zealand) The documentary traces the spread of AIDS in New Zealand. |
| 25 Mar 1986 | The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 27 Mar 1986 | Parliament debates the age of consent provisions in the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) The age of consent is set at 16. Parliament also decides that homosexual acts will remain illegal in the armed services. Links: Film Archive, LAGANZ |
| 2 Apr 1986 | The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 9 Apr 1986 | The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand) |
| 16 Apr 1986 | Part 2 of the Homosexual Law Reform is voted down in Parliament (New Zealand) Part 2 of the Bill contained anti-discrimination measures. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 17 Apr 1986 | The media reports that Eve van Grafhorst is confirmed to have AIDS (Hastings, New Zealand) Van Grafhorst was born prematurely in 1982 and required eleven blood transfusions to save her life. One of the transfusions was contaminated and van Grafhorst contracted HIV. Links: Wikipedia |
| 18 May 1986 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) |
| 9 Jul 1986 | Part 1 of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill is narrowly passed by Parliament, 49 votes to 44 (New Zealand) Part 2 of the Bill dealing with anti-discrimination measures was lost on 16 April 1986. Links: Wikipedia |
| 11 Jul 1986 | The Burnett Clinic is opened by Health Minister Dr Michael Bassett (Auckland, New Zealand) The Burnett Clinic is named after Bruce Burnett and is the first HIV AIDS clinic in New Zealand. |
| 11 Jul 1986 | The Homosexual Law Reform Act (1986) is signed into law by the Governor General (New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ, Queer History |
| 8 Aug 1986 | The Homosexual Law Reform Act (1986) is enacted (New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ, Queer History |
| 23 Aug 1986 | The Lesbians and Gays in Education conference is held (New Zealand) |
| 30 Aug 1986 | A Women's Studies conference is held (New Plymouth, New Zealand) |
| 11 Sep 1986 | The Lesbian and Gay Rights Resource Centre is damaged by arson (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ (1), LAGANZ (2) |
| 13 Nov 1986 | The lesbian festival Celebrating Ourselves is held (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 1987 | The New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society ends (New Zealand) The Society's files are donated to the Lesbian and Gay Rights Resource Centre. |
| 1987 | Trevor Barnard stands as an openly gay candidate for the NZ Democratic party in Eastern Hutt (Lower Hutt, New Zealand) |
| 9 Feb 1987 | The media reports that the Rev Carl Titchener is giving out condoms during church services (New York, United States of America) Titchener, a Unitarian minister in New York, gives out condoms to help prevent the spread of AIDS. |
| Mar 1987 | Gay rights activists demonstrate against visiting evangelist Leighton Ford (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Mar 1987 | The second annual Wellington Lesbian and Gay Fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) According to Des Smith, one of the founders, the fair was generally held in the second week of March so that it didn't clash with Sydney's Mardi Gras. |
| 1 Apr 1987 | The media reports that an underground treatment network is setup for AIDS patients (United States of America) The network provides access to non-approved treatments. |
| 11 Apr 1987 | The Awhina Clinic opens (Wellington, New Zealand) The HIV AIDS clinic is later renamed the Awhina Centre. |
| May 1987 | Glad Rag magazine begins publication (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 17 May 1987 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) |
| 17 May 1987 | AIDS: The New Lepers is broadcast on TV1 (New Zealand) The documentary is followed by a panel discussion with health professionals in New Zealand plus excerpts from Australian and British TV campaigns. |
| Aug 1987 | Wellington City Council grants same-sex partners of bus-drivers the same free travel passes as opposite-sex partners (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 19 Nov 1987 | National MP Norman Jones dies (New Zealand) Jones had been a vehement opponent of homosexual law reform. He dies of a brain tumor. |
| 27 Dec 1987 | Writer and educator Rewi Alley dies (Beijing, China) Links: Wikipedia, Te Ara |
| 1988 | The Dorian Society ends (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Mar 1988 | The third annual Wellington Lesbian and Gay Fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) According to Des Smith, one of the founders, the fair was generally held in the second week of March so that it didn't clash with Sydney's Mardi Gras. |
| 15 May 1988 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) |
| 4 Aug 1988 | Photographer Brian Brake dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| Oct 1988 | A national hui for Maori lesbians is held (New Zealand) |
| 12 Oct 1988 | The New Zealand Navy announces its gay-friendly policy (New Zealand) |
| 31 Oct 1988 | Peter Cuthbert dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Cuthbert is remembered in the first panel of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt. Links: NZ AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 1 Dec 1988 | The New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt is displayed for the first time on World AIDS Day (Wellington, New Zealand) The first panel presented is for Peter Cuthbert by his partner and founder of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, Daniel Fielding. Links: NZ AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 1989 | The Auckland Gay Men's Health Group is formed (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 1989 | The Crimes Act incorporates Homosexual Law Reform Act amendments (New Zealand) |
| 1989 | The Gay and Lesbian Community Centre opens (Wellington, New Zealand) The Centre utilises space at the Evergreen Coffee Lounge. |
| 1989 | The Rock of Life Ministries is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) The group is formed circa 1989 (exact date unknown). |
| 1989 | The social group Spectrum is formed (Nelson, New Zealand) Links: Spectrum, LAGANZ |
| 1989 | The Women's Place bookshop closes (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 24 Feb 1989 | The Lesbian Club ends (Wellington, New Zealand) The Club ends for the third time. |
| Mar 1989 | The fourth annual Wellington Lesbian and Gay Fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) According to Des Smith, one of the founders, the fair was generally held in the second week of March so that it didn't clash with Sydney's Mardi Gras. |
| 13 Mar 1989 | Lesbian and gay visibility week takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 21 Mar 1989 | Tom McLean's book If I Should Die is launched at Turnbull House (Wellington, New Zealand) McLean dies a few days later from AIDS-related complications. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, WorldCat |
| 24 Mar 1989 | The National Gay and Lesbian Conference is held (Auckland, New Zealand) The theme of the conference is building bridges. |
| 24 Mar 1989 | Tom McLean, journalist and author of If I Should Die dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, WorldCat |
| 13 May 1989 | The Young Lesbian and Gay Festival is held in Newtown School Hall (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 21 May 1989 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) |
| Jun 1989 | The group GLAD is formed (Hamilton, New Zealand) The group is formed to work for anti-discrimination, including the broadening of the Human Rights Act. |
| 2 Jun 1989 | Singer Judy Small performs at St Patricks Hall (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 5 Jun 1989 | A South Island lesbian conference is held at Christchurch Polytech (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| Sep 1989 | The Gay Motorbike Club is formed (New Zealand) It soon became the Mercury Motorbike Club. |
| 14 Oct 1989 | Artist Rodney Kennedy dies |
| 3 Nov 1989 | A national hui for Maori Lesbians is held (Wellington, New Zealand) The hui takes place at Tapu Te Ranga Marae. |
| 24 Jan 1990 | Expatriate New Zealander Richard Johnson is murdered by a gang of youths (Sydney, Australia) |
| Mar 1990 | The fifth annual Wellington Lesbian and Gay Fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) According to Des Smith, one of the founders, the fair was generally held in the second week of March so that it didn't clash with Sydney's Mardi Gras. |
| 23 Apr 1990 | Singer Lew Pryme dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Pryme dies from AIDS-related complications. Links: NZ On Screen |
| 20 May 1990 | A will making workshop for lesbians is held (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 20 May 1990 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) |
| 21 May 1990 | An AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held in the foyer of the Beehive, Parliament (Wellington, New Zealand) The service features Sir Paul Reeves - the first patron of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, MP Fran Wilde, plus five panels of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt. |
| 2 Jun 1990 | A lesbian gathering and conference is held (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 22 Jun 1990 | The Gay Community Centre closes (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 18 Aug 1990 | A lesbian ball is held (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| Sep 1990 | Pink Triangle magazine ends (New Zealand) The magazine was published by the National Gay Rights Coalition. It was an important source of news and feature articles and was distributed nationally. The first issue was published on 14 May 1979. Links: Auckland Museum |
| 1991 | The short fiction book Dangerous Desires by Peter Wells is published (New Zealand) The book won the Reed Fiction Award for 1991. |
| 1991 | Man to Man publication begins (New Zealand) It starts out as a 4-page pamphlet but grows into a fully-fledged newspaper called Express. In 2014 it changes to a monthly magazine format with accompanying website. Links: Gay Express |
| 1991 | The Ever so slightly naughty Gay BC cookbook is published (Wellington, New Zealand) The book is published by the Gay Broadcasting Collective (Gay BC) who have a weekly programme on Wellington Access Radio. |
| 1991 | The Shining City by Stevan Eldred-Grigg is published (New Zealand) |
| Mar 1991 | The sixth annual Wellington Lesbian and Gay Fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) According to Des Smith, one of the founders, the fair was generally held in the second week of March so that it didn't clash with Sydney's Mardi Gras. |
| 15 Apr 1991 | Alex Mihailovic and Dean Howard are convicted of the murder of Richard Johnson (Sydney, Australia) Mihailovic and Howard were part of a gang of youths convicted of the murder of the New Zealander in Sydney. |
| 19 May 1991 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) |
| 18 Aug 1991 | A television debate is broadcast on whether there should be ordained homosexual ministers in the Christian Church (New Zealand) The debate was broadcast on TV1. |
| 25 Aug 1991 | Singer Sue Dunlop performs at the North by Northwest cafe (Wellington, New Zealand) Dunlop's performance includes Better than normal. |
| 4 Oct 1991 | HIV Alive '91 is held (Auckland, New Zealand) The two week event includes specialist workshops, seminars, celebrations and fundraisers. It also includes a public unveiling of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt. |
| 5 Oct 1991 | An unveiling of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt is held (Auckland, New Zealand) The unveiling is held as part of the HIV Alive '99 event. 88 Australian and New Zealand quilt panels are displayed at the Auckland City Art Gallery. In the three months leading up to the event the number of New Zealand quilt panels had grown from 8 to 32. Soon after the gallery showing, the quilt panels were displayed at the Aotea Centre. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 9 Nov 1991 | Heather McPherson launches Other World Relations at Unity Books (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 7 Dec 1991 | The first Devotion dance party is held (Wellington, New Zealand) The party is held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Tickets cost $20-$25. Links: GayNZ.net |
| 14 Dec 1991 | The Bring and Buy lesbian fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 21 Dec 1991 | The Dominion Dance is held at the Dominion Hotel (Wellington, New Zealand) The dance is organised by Dykes Out Of Debt (DOODS). |
| 1992 | A pink book : a collection of readings on aspects of EEO and gay men by Phil Parkinson is published (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Feb 1992 | HERO 2 festival is held (Auckland, New Zealand) The festival includes the first HERO parade. Links: Wikipedia |
| Mar 1992 | The seventh annual Wellington Lesbian and Gay Fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) According to Des Smith, one of the founders, the fair was generally held in the second week of March so that it didn't clash with Sydney's Mardi Gras. |
| Apr 1992 | The Human Rights Commission publishes the discussion paper Discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation (New Zealand) |
| 18 Apr 1992 | The National Gay Rights Coalition Hui Aranga Easter gathering is held (New Zealand) |
| 24 Apr 1992 | The Sheilas Arms begins a women only night (New Plymouth, New Zealand) The Shelias Arms later renames to Club 47. The building is demolished in October 1996. Links: Fiona Clark |
| 17 May 1992 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) |
| Jun 1992 | The underground newsletter Bog Spy publication begins (Auckland, New Zealand) The newsletter is about sexual activity in Auckland's public toilets. |
| 4 Jul 1992 | Radio Gay Nelson begins broadcasting (Nelson, New Zealand) The programme broadcasts on the local community radio station (later called Fresh FM). In 1994 the programme changed its name to Gaytime FM. Links: NZ.com |
| 17 Jul 1992 | Lawyer and social reformer Frank Haigh dies Among other things Haigh was prominent in the cause of homosexual law reform. |
| 5 Aug 1992 | Former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon dies (Auckland, New Zealand) In 1976 Muldoon revealed in Parliament that prominent Labour MP Colin Moyle had been questioned by the police in regard to possible homosexual soliciting. Moyle subsequently resigned from Parliament in 1977. Links: Te Ara |
| Oct 1992 | The Lesbian, Gay and Christian National Conference is held (New Zealand) The theme of the conference is sexism and heterosexism. Links: LAGANZ |
| 9 Oct 1992 | The first unveiling of the International AIDS Memorial Quilt takes place (Washington D.C., United States of America) The quilt was unveiled in Washington D.C., USA. New Zealand is one of 20 countries invited to attend. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 21 Nov 1992 | The second Devotion dance party is held (Wellington, New Zealand) The party is held at Shed 26 on the waterfront and includes a merry-go-round. Links: GayNZ.net |
| 1 Dec 1992 | World AIDS Day is commemorated (Auckland, New Zealand) Since World AIDS Day 1991, 43 people had died in New Zealand from AIDS-related complications. Father Michael Bancroft leads the first ever AIDS requiem mass in New Zealand. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 1993 | The short fiction book Sweet and Sour Cocktails by Robert Leek is published (New Zealand) |
| 1993 | Aphrodisia by choreographer Michael Parmenter premieres at the HERO Festival (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 1 Feb 1993 | The HERO 3 festival is held (Auckland, New Zealand) The festival's theme is: a celebration of diversity. |
| Apr 1993 | The Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter begins publication (Taranaki region, New Zealand) |
| 17 Apr 1993 | The first national conference of the New Zealand [AIDS] Quilt Project takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The conference is attended by committee members, volunteers and regional coordinators. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 23 May 1993 | Beacons of Hope is held at Frank Kitts Park (Wellington, New Zealand) Beacons of Hope is held as part of the 10th International AIDS Memorial commemorations. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Wellington members of the New Zealand Youth Choir perform at Frank Kitts Park. The event begins at 7pm and includes people carrying flaming torches representing those that have passed away. Links: Archives New Zealand, New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| Jul 1993 | The first Waikato University Gay Pride Week takes place (Waikato region, New Zealand) Links: NZ.com |
| 28 Jul 1993 | The Human Rights Bill is passed (New Zealand) Among other things, the Bill outlaws discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. The Government is exempt until 31 December 1999. |
| 4 Sep 1993 | Darren Horn dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Horn was an early convener of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 10 Oct 1993 | The Coming Out Day parade is held (Auckland, New Zealand) The parade begins at Western Park. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, Wikipedia |
| 30 Oct 1993 | A silent auction and cabaret evening is held to fundraise for the New Zealand [AIDS] Quilt Project (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| Nov 1993 | Devotion: a lesbian and gay celebration is published (Wellington, New Zealand) It's published by Sprung! Productions and Caspers. |
| 20 Nov 1993 | Eve van Grafhorst dies from AIDS-related complications (Hastings, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| 24 Nov 1993 | David Halls (Hudson and Halls) is found dead in his apartment (London, United Kingdom) Halls commits suicide after his partner Peter Hudson died from cancer a year earlier. Halls wrote "Without Peter I don't want to go on - he was my life, and I have no regrets. I love him now as much as I always did and I want to be with him for all eternity." |
| 27 Nov 1993 | The third Devotion dance party is held (Wellington, New Zealand) The party is held at Shed 21 on the waterfront. There was no Devotion party held in 1994. Links: GayNZ.net |
| 27 Nov 1993 | The Love Parade is held as part of the Devotion festival (Wellington, New Zealand) People gather for the parade in Civic Square. Links: National Library |
| 1 Dec 1993 | World AIDS Day is commemorated (Dunedin, New Zealand) The New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt is displayed in St Paul's Cathedral in Dunedin to mark World AIDS Day. The quilt remains on display for a week. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 23 Dec 1993 | MP Chris Carter (Te Atatu, Labour Party) comes out publicly (New Zealand) Carter becomes the first openly gay Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Links: Queer History NZ, Wikipedia |
| 1994 | The poetry book The Body of Man by David Herkt is published (New Zealand) |
| Jan 1994 | Buddies - New Zealand's first gay massage parlour opens (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| Feb 1994 | The New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt is displayed at the Aotea Centre (Auckland, New Zealand) The Quilt is displayed for one-and-a-half weeks, followed by two days laid out on Aotea Square. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 1 Feb 1994 | The Human Rights Act 1993 comes into force (New Zealand) The amended Act outlaws discrimination on a wide variety of grounds including sexual orientation and disability. The Act provides protection against discrimination for those living with HIV AIDS. Links: Wikipedia, New Zealand Legislation, NZ.com |
| 16 Mar 1994 | MP Chris Carter (Te Atatu, Labour Party) gives his maiden speech in Parliament (New Zealand) Carter is the first openly gay Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Links: Wikipedia |
| May 1994 | The first National Lesbian Studies Conference takes place (New Zealand) |
| 22 May 1994 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial services are held (New Zealand) A memorial service is held at St Matthew-in-the-City in Auckland. Following the service the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt is carried outspread in a candlelit parade via Hobson and Wellesley Streets to Aotea Square. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| Jul 1994 | The first Stonewall Ball is held (New Plymouth, New Zealand) Links: Queer History NZ, NZ.com |
| Jul 1994 | The second Waikato University Gay Pride Week takes place (Waikato region, New Zealand) Links: NZ.com |
| Jul 1994 | Gaytime FM begins broadcasting on Fresh FM (Tasman region, New Zealand) The radio programme broadcasts every Sunday morning at 11am Links: NZ.com (1), NZ.com (2) |
| 2 Aug 1994 | Richard Leonard kills ex-Aucklander Stephen Dempsey with a crossbow. (Sydney, Australia) Leonard later claims it as was an act of self-defence after Dempsey propositioned him. Leonard was finally captured, tried and found guilty of two murders and sentenced to life in prison. Links: Forensic Investigators |
| 28 Sep 1994 | AIDS activist and educator Tom O'Donoghue dies (Wellington, New Zealand) O'Donoghue was a founding member of the National People Living With AIDS Union and Collective Thinking, a publication for people living with, or affected by, HIV AIDS. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, Tui Motu InterIslands Magazine |
| 31 Oct 1994 | HIV Awarenss month is held (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: New Zealand AIDS Quilt |
| Nov 1994 | The first HIV Walk for Life takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: NZ.com |
| 27 Nov 1994 | Artist Arthur Tauhore dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Tauhore dies from AIDS related illnesses. |
| Dec 1994 | The High Court rules that post-operative transsexuals can marry in their adopted sex (New Zealand) |
| 1 Dec 1994 | Worlds AIDS Day is commemorated (New Zealand) In Auckland, the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt is is carried outspread down Queen Street for an unfolding ceremony. The global theme of the day is: AIDS and the family. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 1995 | Birthdaze dance parties are held |
| 1995 | The first annual Out Takes film festival takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) The festival was held at the Paramount Theatre. Links: Out Takes |
| 1995 | A Long Undressing premieres (New Zealand) The dance and theatre work is created and performed by Michael Parmenter. |
| 1995 | Nights in the Gardens of Spain by Witi Ihimaera is published |
| 1995 | The Queer Resources - Aotearoa New Zealand web pages are launched on NZ.com (New Zealand) The pages are created and maintained by Mark Proffit, and are some of the first (possibly the first) representations of rainbow communities from New Zealand on the internet. Links: NZ.com |
| 1 Jan 1995 | Dancer Warren Douglas dies (Wellington, New Zealand) The Warren Douglas Scholarship Fund was subsequently established in May 1995 to help those who wanted to make the transition from performer to arts administrator, as he had done. Douglas is remembered on the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, Warren Douglas Scholarship Fund |
| Feb 1995 | Devotion 95: a gay and lesbian celebration by Elizabeth Smith and Rachell Rose is published |
| 4 Feb 1995 | The fourth annual Devotion dance party is held at Civic Square and the Wellington Town Hall (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: GayNZ.net |
| 18 Mar 1995 | The tenth annual Gay and Lesbian Fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 25 Mar 1995 | Writer Eric McCormick dies McCormick wrote biographies on Alexander Turnbull and Frances Hodgkins. Links: Te Ara |
| 22 Apr 1995 | Tai Tahi Marsters attacks Jim Curtis (Napier, New Zealand) Marsters hit Curtis using a glass decanter. Curtis is left with brain damage while Marsters is later acquitted of both attempted murder and assault. At his trial Marsters uses the provocation/gay panic defence, claiming Curtis made a sexual advance. Links: Parliamentary debate, GayNZ |
| May 1995 | The second National Lesbian Studies Conference takes place (Tasman region, New Zealand) The conference is held over a weekend at Felicity's farm in Golden Bay with workshops on alternative housing and energy, and natural/holistic health. The Lesbians On The Land group grows out of the weekend. Links: QNA |
| 21 May 1995 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) This is the 12th anniversary of international memorials. In Auckland, five blocks of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt are carried from St Matthew-in-the-city to Aotea Square where a Beacons of Hope service is held. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt |
| 26 May 1995 | Poor Superman by Brad Fraser opens at Circa Theatre (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: National Library |
| 21 Jun 1995 | The Dunedin Pride festival is held (Dunedin, New Zealand) The festival runs from 21 June - 15 July 1995. Links: NZ.com |
| 24 Jun 1995 | The first Man to Man Gay and Lesbian Writing Festival is held (Auckland, New Zealand) The festival is New Zealand's first gay and lesbian writing festival. It is held at the Auckland College of Education and features Paula Boock, Witi Ihimaera, Renee, Noel Virtue and Peter Wells. Links: NZ.com |
| 1 Jul 1995 | A day-long seminar takes placed called Exceptional Lesbian and Gay Lives (Christchurch, New Zealand) The seminar is advertised as a "one day affirming seminar" and features Robin Duff, Kathleen Quinlivan, Brent Skerten, Ross Palmer, Andrew Carstairs McCarthy, Linda James, Sue Lovelock Marshall, Jo Drayton and Jane Ferrier. It takes place in the Elizabeth Kelly Room above Annies Wine Bar in the City Arts Centre. Links: NZ.com |
| 1 Jul 1995 | The second annual Stonewall Ball is held (New Plymouth, New Zealand) The ball is to celebrate "gay, lesbian, bisexual and transpeople pride." It will be held at The Mill, 2 Powderham Street in New Plymouth. Links: NZ.com |
| 22 Jul 1995 | The Hawke's Bay Queer Event takes place (Napier, New Zealand) The event is advertised as "meeting, dancing, drinking and generally doing some wild stuff in Napier, at the Bay City Club from 9pm." Links: NZ.com |
| 24 Jul 1995 | The third annual Waikato University Gay Pride Week takes place (Waikato region, New Zealand) The week is organised by the Waikato Student Union and Queers on Campus. Links: NZ.com |
| 7 Aug 1995 | The University Of Canterbury Gay Pride Week is held (Canterbury region, New Zealand) The week is advertised as a "celebration of lesbian, gay and bisexual sexuality." It takes place in the Student Union Building, and runs from 7 - 11 August. Links: NZ.com |
| 19 Aug 1995 | The fifth annual AIDS Benefit Concert for the Hamilton branch of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation takes place (Hamilton, New Zealand) The concert is hosted by broadcaster Lianne Clarke and held at the Trustbank Community Theatre. The Governor General Dame Catherine Tizard attends in her capacity as patron of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. Links: NZ.com |
| 26 Aug 1995 | The twelfth annual Auckland Lesbian Ball takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The ball is held for the third time at the Hyatt Convention Centre. Proceeds from the event go to the support group LESO - Lesbian Education and Support Organisation. Links: NZ.com |
| 3 Sep 1995 | Pianist Michael Houston performs a benefit concert for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation (Auckland, New Zealand) The performance takes place at the School of Music, University of Auckland. Links: NZ.com |
| 11 Sep 1995 | The Auckland University Pride Week takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The week is organised by a combined group from Unigays, Women loving Women, Dykes on Campus and Uni Goblet. It runs from 11 - 16 September. Links: NZ.com |
| 30 Sep 1995 | The third annual Hamilton Pride Party takes place (Hamilton, New Zealand) The party takes place in the Quadrangle next to the gay Next Door Bar. The theme is Greek gods and goddesses. Links: NZ.com |
| Oct 1995 | Gays and Lesbians in University Employment at Victoria University of Wellington (GLUE-VUW) is established (Wellington, New Zealand) The group is set up by Victoria University staff. Links: NZ.com |
| Oct 1995 | The Queer News Aotearoa (QNA) website begins (New Zealand) Links: QNA |
| 11 Oct 1995 | A coming out party is held to celebrate National Coming Out Day (Wellington, New Zealand) The party is held at the National Library of New Zealand and organised by the National Library Lesbian and Gay Network, and the Friends of the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand (LAGANZ). The party starts at 5.30pm. Links: NZ.com, Wikipedia |
| 21 Oct 1995 | Georgina Beyer is elected Mayor of Carterton (Carterton, New Zealand) Beyer becomes the world's first openly transexual mayor. Links: Wikipedia |
| 21 Oct 1995 | The Riding the Rainbow conference takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) The Pink Health conference focuses on lesbian and gay health and is held at the Wellington College of Education. Speakers include Raz Bloomfield and Neville Creighton. Links: NZ.com |
| 5 Nov 1995 | Martin Dickson is licensed as a Presbyterian minister (New Zealand) Dickson is the first openly gay man to be licensed in New Zealand by the Presbyterian church. In 1999 the Sunday Star Times reported that despite being licensed as a minister, no congregation wanted him. "One thing I've learnt is people often have quite good intentions, but the last thing they want in their Church is conflict." Links: Sunday Star Times |
| 25 Nov 1995 | The second annual HIV Walk for Life takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) Broadcasters Anita McNaught and Neil Waka will start the Walk from Victoria Park at 11am. The route goes up College Hill, along Ponsonby, K' Rd and Queen St to Aotea Square. Links: NZ.com |
| 1 Dec 1995 | World AIDS Day is commemorated (Auckland, New Zealand) This year's theme is: shared rights, shared responsibility. In Auckland, the Quilt and Baton of Hope march is held. The Quilt is carried up Queen Street with 400 placards representing people who have died from AIDS related conditions in New Zealand. Events also take place in Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson. Links: NZ.com, New Zealand AIDS Quilt |
| 2 Dec 1995 | The first Freedom dance party takes place (Christchurch, New Zealand) The event is held at the Ministry for "lesbians, gays, bisexuals and their friends." Links: NZ.com |
| 3 Dec 1995 | The AIDS Media Awards takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The New Zealand AIDS Foundation event is hosted by Ginette McDonald and Anita McNaught. It also features Michael Parmenter performing a dance from his work A Long Undressing. The event is held at the Sheraton Auckland Hotel and Towers. Links: NZ.com |
| 3 Dec 1995 | The Coming Out Day parade takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The parade begins at 2pm from Three Lamps Plaza, goes along Ponsonby Road and ends at Western Park. The 1994 parade attracted approximately 3,000 people. Links: NZ.com, Wikipedia |
| 9 Dec 1995 | The controversial Robert Mapplethorpe Retrospective exhibition shows at the City Gallery Wellington (Wellington, New Zealand) City Gallery Director Paula Savage said "His work documents a pre-AIDS era in New York when homosexuality was given a social acceptability unseen for decades, perhaps centuries, and gay cultural blossomed." The exhibition runs from 9 December 1995 - 20 February 1996. Links: NZ.com, Wikipedia, City Gallery |
| 23 Dec 1995 | The Dyke Ball takes place (Christchurch, New Zealand) Links: NZ.com |
| 1996 | Mani Bruce Mitchell publicly comes out as Intersex (New Zealand) Mani is recognised as the first out Intersex person in New Zealand Links: PrideNZ |
| 1996 | Patrick Clotworthy stabs Wayne Cowan six times while shouting anti gay comments (Auckland, New Zealand) Clotworthy later pleads guilty in 1997 and was initally sentenced to a 2 year suspended sentence but this was appealed by the Crown. In June 1998 his sentence was increased to 3 years imprisonment Links: Sensible Sentencing Trust |
| 1996 | The first Miss Riwaka Beauty Pagent is held (Nelson, New Zealand) The first pageant was held as a private function. Links: NZ.com |
| 1996 | The Topp Twins television series begins (New Zealand) The series features the twins as Camp Mother and Camp Leader |
| 1996 | 10 Years Since The Bill is published by Spectrum (Nelson, New Zealand) The booklet is published on the 10th anniversary of the passing of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, and recalls the campaign and perspectives of people in the Nelson region. The text is later published online. Links: Spectrum |
| 1996 | Growing up gay : New Zealand men tell their stories by James Allan is published |
| 1996 | Queer Nation begins screening on TVNZ It became the world's longest running free-to-air TV programme for an LGBT audience |
| Jan 1996 | Labour MP Judith Tizard proposes legalising same-sex marriage (New Zealand) |
| 19 Jan 1996 | The play Eugenia premieres at Taki Rua Depot Theatre (Wellington, New Zealand) Eugenia is written and stars Lorae Parry. It's based on the life of Eugenia Falleni. Links: Wikipedia |
| 25 Jan 1996 | Composer Jonathan Larson dies (New York, United States of America) Larson's musical Rent was just days away from opening on Broadway when he passed away. Links: New York Times |
| 27 Jan 1996 | The Spectrum website is launched (Nelson, New Zealand) The website is one of the earliest group websites for gay and bisexual men in New Zealand. Links: Spectrum |
| 5 Feb 1996 | The first broadcast of Express Report occurs (New Zealand) The programme is a regular rainbow tv news and current affairs show. It is later called Out There. |
| 8 Feb 1996 | Pride Stories our Mothers never told Us takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The event is organised by the Pride Centre as part of the HERO Festival. It takes place at Footsteps Nightclub and features Mary O'Hagan, Clare Bear Reader, Robert Leak, Karin Kahurangi and Frankie Hill, poet and activist Uma Kali-Shakti, and comedian Philip Patston. Links: NZ.com |
| 22 Feb 1996 | The Gay Association of Professionals (GAP) is formed in Wellington (Wellington, New Zealand) The Association changes its name to Rainbow Wellington in the mid-2000s. |
| Mar 1996 | Tai Tahi Marsters is acquitted of attempted murder and causing Jim Curtis grievous bodily harm (New Zealand) Marsters hit Curtis using a glass decanter. Curtis is left with brain damage while Marsters is acquitted of both attempted murder and assault. At his trial Marsters uses the homosexual panic defence, claiming Curtis made a sexual advance. Links: Parliamentary debate |
| 5 Mar 1996 | The Census forms are constructed so the number of same-sex couples can be counted (New Zealand) Every person in a household is provided with their own individual form which includes questions about who they are living with. By cross-referencing data the number of same-sex couples living together can be calculated. Links: Stats NZ |
| 19 Apr 1996 | The Pride Centre opens at its new premises (Auckland, New Zealand) The Centre is located at 33 Wyndham Street,between Albert and Hobson St, inside the Peoples Centre. Links: NZ.com (1), NZ.com (2) |
| 24 Apr 1996 | The High Court hears an application by three lesbian couples seeking a ruling on the legality of their marriage applications (New Zealand) |
| 16 May 1996 | Sexual Healing? a documentary featuring former homosexual Noel Mosen is broadcast on TV One (New Zealand) A number of people complain to the Broadcasting Standards Authority about the content. The complaints are upheld in November 1996. Links: BSA |
| 19 May 1996 | The 13th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held (New Zealand) This year's theme is: AIDS discrimination is a global epidemic - together we can overcome it. Blocks of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt are displayed in New Plymouth, Wellington, Invercargill and Auckland. Events take place in Taranaki, Waikato, Canterbury, Wellington, Auckland and Nelson. Links: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt, NZ.com |
| 30 May 1996 | The High Court rules that marriage in common law means between a man and woman (New Zealand) |
| 23 Jun 1996 | The Dunedin Pride festival takes place (Dunedin, New Zealand) The festival runs from 23 June-6 July. The festival begins with a dog show and soccer match and ends with a Masquerade Ball. Links: NZ.com |
| 5 Jul 1996 | The Presbyterian Church rules that lesbian and gay people may not be licensed or ordained as elders or ministers or put in positions of leadership (New Zealand) The decision was to be reviewed again in 1998. |
| 6 Jul 1996 | The Gays and Lesbians Everywhere in Education (GLEE) National conference is held (Wellington, New Zealand) The theme of the conference is: empowering lesbians and gays in education. Links: NZ.com (1), NZ.com (2) |
| 18 Jul 1996 | Singer Shona Laing comes out as bisexual during a concert performance (New Zealand) Laing's coming out was reported in Express magazine. Links: Wikipedia |
| Aug 1996 | Gays and Lesbians in Business (GLIB) is formed (Christchurch, New Zealand) |
| 21 Sep 1996 | The Riding the Rainbow '96 conference takes place (Christchurch, New Zealand) The Pink Health conference's theme is self esteem. Links: NZ.com |
| Oct 1996 | The building that housed Club 47 is demolished (New Plymouth, New Zealand) The building also used be the home of the Shelias Arms in 1992. Links: Fiona Clark |
| 12 Oct 1996 | MP Chris Carter (Te Atatu, Labour Party) is defeated in the first MMP General Election (Auckland region, New Zealand) Carter was New Zealalnd's first openly gay Member of Parliament. He returned to Parliament in 1999. Links: Wikipedia |
| 12 Oct 1996 | Tim Barnett (Christchurch Central, Labour Party) is elected in the first MMP General Election (Christchurch, New Zealand) Barnett, who is openly gay, would subsequently introduce the Prostitution Reform Bill 2003 and was heavily involved in the passing of the Civil Union Bill 2004. Links: Wikipedia, Parliament |
| 4 Nov 1996 | Bryan James Gardner murders David Shore in a hotel room (Christchurch, New Zealand) Gardener is sentenced to life imprisonment in May 1997. Links: Sensible Sentencing Trust |
| 14 Nov 1996 | A complaint against the Sexual Healing? documentary is upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Authority (New Zealand) The documentary featured former homosexual Noel Mosen, and broadcast on TV One on 16 May 1996. Links: BSA |
| 23 Nov 1996 | The third annual HIV Walk for Life takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The Walk leaves from Victoria Park. Broadcaster Anita McNaught announces the start of the walk. Links: NZ.com |
| 30 Nov 1996 | The first annual Pride Weekend takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The Staircase Nightclub hosts a Pride Party. A Pride Parade takes place on 1 December at 2pm - from Three Lamps Ponsonby to Western Park. It's followed by a Pride Picnic. Links: NZ.com |
| 1 Dec 1996 | World AIDS Day is commemorated (New Zealand) |
| 1997 | The Government stops funding Consistency 2000 - the Human Rights Commission's investigation into discriminatory legislation (New Zealand) |
| 1997 | Best Mates: Gay Writing in Aotearoa New Zealand edited by Peter Wells and Rex Pilgrim is published (New Zealand) |
| 1997 | Broadsheet publication ends (New Zealand) |
| 1997 | Emerging tribe: gay culture in New Zealand in the 1990s by Nigel Gearing is published (New Zealand) |
| 2 Jan 1997 | Morals campaigner Keith Hay dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Hay took a lead role in campaigning against homosexual law reform in 1985/86. Links: Te Ara |
| Feb 1997 | The Devotion parade is held through the inner city (Wellington, New Zealand) A group of fundamentalist Christians protest along the parade route |
| 1 Feb 1997 | The second Freedom dance party takes place (Christchurch, New Zealand) The party is at the Civic of Canterbury on Manchester Street. Links: NZ.com |
| 7 Feb 1997 | The HERO festival takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The festival runs from 7 - 22 February. Links: NZ.com, New Zealand AIDS Quilt |
| 22 Feb 1997 | The HERO parade takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The parade runs from Crummer Road, into Ponsonby Road and then down to Three Lamps. It's broadcast on TV3. Links: New Zealand AIDS Quilt |
| 27 Feb 1997 | Labour MP Tim Barnett gives his maiden speech in Parliament (New Zealand) Links: Parliament |
| Mar 1997 | Branches of the Gay and Lesbian Labour Party are formed by Tim Barnett and Chris Carter in Auckland and Christchurch (New Zealand) |
| 26 Mar 1997 | The Awhina Centre in Mein Street is badly damaged by a suspected arson (Wellington, New Zealand) The Centre moves to Tory Street |
| 13 Apr 1997 | Alyson Murrie-West is licensed as a Presbyterian minister at St Andrews-on-the-Terrace (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| May 1997 | Patrick Clotworthy pleads guilty to assaulting Wayne Cowan in a side street off Karangahape Road (Auckland, New Zealand) Clotworthy stabbed Cowan six times in 1996 while shouting anti gay comments. He was initally sentenced to a 2 year suspended sentence but this was appealed by the Crown. In June 1998 his sentence was increased to 3 years imprisonment Links: Sensible Sentencing Trust |
| 4 May 1997 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorials are held (New Zealand) The memorial is moved earlier in May this year to accommodate dates in the USA calendar (generally the memorial is held on the 3rd Sunday in May). Links: New Zealand AIDS Quilt |
| 7 May 1997 | The world's first Intersex Centre opens (Wellington, New Zealand) The Intersex Society of New Zealand (Aotearoa) is founded by Mani Bruce Mitchell |
| 26 May 1997 | Bryan James Gardner is sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering David Shore in November 1996 (Christchurch, New Zealand) Gardner tried unsuccessfully to use the homosexual panic defence. Links: Sensible Sentencing Trust |
| Sep 1997 | Auckland City Council refuses to fund the Hero Parade (Auckland, New Zealand) The organisers had asked for $32,000 to crowd barriers and cleanup |
| 1 Nov 1997 | The second Miss Riwaka Beauty Pageant is held (Nelson, New Zealand) The event is held at Braemar Gym, with formal dress (ball gown or suit). Links: NZ.com |
| 10 Nov 1997 | Richard Leonard is found guilty of killing Stephen Dempsey with a crossbow in 1994 (Sydney, Australia) Leonard claimed it was an act of self-defence after Dempsey propositioned him. Leonard was also found guilty of murdering a taxi driver. He was sentenced to life in prison Links: Forensic Investigators |
| 12 Nov 1997 | The Rev. David Bromell, an openly gay man, is ordained in the Methodist Church (New Zealand) |
| 29 Nov 1997 | The fourth annual HIV Walk for Life takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: NZ.com |
| 17 Dec 1997 | The Court of Appeal turns down three lesbian couples' appeal against a High Court ruling against same-sex marriage (New Zealand) |
| 1998 | Vanity fierce by Graeme Aitken is published (New Zealand) |
| 1 Jan 1998 | Jacquie Grant becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) (West Coast region, New Zealand) Grant is honoured for her work as a foster parent to more than 60 children. In 2018 she was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM). Links: Te Ara, A Gender Variance Whos Who |
| 5 Feb 1998 | The HERO festival takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The festival runs from 5 - 21 February. Links: NZ.com |
| 7 Feb 1998 | The Freedom festival and dance party take place (Christchurch, New Zealand) The Freedom dance party takes place on 14 Feburary at the Civic of Canterbury on Manchester Street. Various other events take place: an art exhibition 3 - 21 February, a film festival 7 - 13 February, a picnic on 8 February, a cocktail party on 9 February and Bar Olympics on 12 February. Links: NZ.com |
| 21 Feb 1998 | The HERO parade takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The parade begins at 8.45pm and runs along Ponsonby Road. It includes 60 plus floats. Links: NZ.com(1), NZ.com(2) |
| 22 Feb 1998 | The HERO parade is broadcast on TV3 (New Zealand) The parade happened the day earlier in Auckland and is broadcast nationally on Sunday at 9.30pm. Links: NZ.com |
| Mar 1998 | The 13th annual Wellington Lesbian and Gay Fair is held (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 14 Mar 1998 | The Out of the Comfort Zone conference takes place (New Plymouth, New Zealand) The conference is organised by Taranaki Pride Alliance and is advertised as "a 2 day conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, takataapui and transpeople focusing on community building." Links: NZ.com |
| 9 Apr 1998 | Dare, Truth or Promise by Paula Boock wins the NZ Post Children's Book Award (New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| 27 Apr 1998 | Anti-homosexual stickers are distributed across Victoria University campus (Wellington, New Zealand) Salient magazine reports that at least a dozen commercially produced stickers which describe homosexuality as shameful and unnatural have been distributed across campus, one targeting Shane Town who had recently completed his PhD research on the difficulties faced by young gay men in New Zealand's secondary schools. |
| May 1998 | The Government announces a Human Rights Amendment that will prolong the Government's exemption from the Human Rights Commission Act indefinitely (New Zealand) |
| 17 May 1998 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held (New Zealand) |
| Jul 1998 | Camp Mother (a.k.a. Lynda Topp) announces she will run for Mayor of Auckland (Auckland, New Zealand) Topp decides to run against Les Mills who was against the HERO festival. She withdraws two weeks before the election |
| Jul 1998 | The Defacto Property Bill is introduced (New Zealand) It aims to standardise disposal of property on death or separation of unmarried couples (but not same-sex ones) |
| Jul 1998 | The Labour Relations Bill is introduced, granting same-sex partners leave for partners' sickness (New Zealand) |
| 10 Jul 1998 | Presbyterian General Assembly bans ordination of practising gay men or lesbians for one year (New Zealand) |
| 5 Aug 1998 | Hamilton District Court rules a lesbian is liable for maintenance of a child born to her ex-partner during their relationship (Hamilton, New Zealand) There are no corresponding custody rights |
| 19 Aug 1998 | National Government introduces a Human Rights Amendment saying it will bring Government into line with HRC Act (with some exceptions) (New Zealand) |
| 30 Aug 1998 | Artist Toss Woollaston dies (Tasman region, New Zealand) Links: Te Ara |
| 12 Oct 1998 | Matthew Shepard is killed in Wyoming (United States of America) Links: Wikipedia |
| 22 Oct 1998 | New Zealand Navy announces a gay-friendly policy (New Zealand) It includes the issuing of pink triangle stickers to identify "safe places" |
| 26 Nov 1998 | The Government's Human Rights Amendment Bill is defeated (New Zealand) |
| 27 Nov 1998 | Auckland City Council under new Mayor Christine Fletcher grants $15,000 for Hero Parade cleanup (Auckland, New Zealand) |
| 28 Nov 1998 | The fifth HIV Walk for Life takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The Walk starts at 11am, leaving from Victoria Park. Links: NZ.com |
| 5 Dec 1998 | The Awhina World AIDS Day variety concert is held (Wellington, New Zealand) The concert takes place in Soundings Theatre at Te Papa, with funds raised going to the Awhina Centre. Links: Te Papa |
| 1999 | Get used to it! children of gay and lesbian parents by Pat Rosier and Myra Hauschild is published (New Zealand) |
| 1999 | OUT! Magazine ends publication (New Zealand) Links: LAGANZ |
| 1999 | When two men embrace: the New Zealand anthology of gay and lesbian poetry by Jonathan Fisher published (New Zealand) |
| 19 Mar 1999 | Dancer Freda Stark dies Links: Te Ara |
| 9 May 1999 | Teenager Jeff Whittington dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Whittington was murdered in Wellington by Jason Meads and Stephen Smith Links: Wikipedia |
| 16 May 1999 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held (New Zealand) |
| 3 Dec 1999 | Jason Meads and Stephen Smith are found guilty of murdering teenager Jeff Whittington (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| 2000 | Laurie Guy's thesis Worlds in Collision: The Gay Debate in New Zealand 1960-86 |
| 2000 | The Property (Relationships) Act 2000 becomes law The Act gives de facto couples, whether opposite or same sex, the same property rights on the break-up of a relationship |
| 21 May 2000 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 8 Nov 2000 | Morals campaigner Patricia Bartlett dies (Wellington region, New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| 2001 | Gaynz.com begins (New Zealand) Based in Auckland, GayNZ was a daily news and features website. It also had forums, an event calendar, scene photographs, business listings and personal ads |
| 2001 | Sucking feijoas by Jeff Buchanan is published |
| 17 Feb 2001 | The HERO Parade is held (Auckland, New Zealand) The parade is held along Ponsonby Road. This would be the last Hero parade. It isn't until 2013 that another large scale Pride parade is held. Links: Film Archive, Wikipedia |
| 19 Apr 2001 | Dallas Peneha, Daniel Beams and Jack Blance attack Jeff Pinfold and Peter Kitchen in Napier Kitchen died in hospital a number of days later |
| 20 May 2001 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 25 May 2001 | The seventh annual Out Takes film festival takes place (New Zealand) The festival runs in multiple centres: Auckand 25 May - 5 June, Wellington 31 May - 10 June, Dunedin 16 - 17 June, Christchurch 22 - 24 June. Links: Out Takes |
| 6 Jun 2001 | Douglas Lilburn (composer) dies Lilburn, described as the "grandfather of New Zealand music," dies peacefully at his home in Wellington. Lilburn was a composer, teacher, philanthropist and advocate for social justice. |
| 2002 | The Penguin book of gay Australian writing by Graeme Aitken is published |
| 19 May 2002 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 9 Aug 2002 | Auckland police senior sergeant Mark Richards resigns after a newspaper "sting". (Auckland, New Zealand) Richards resigns despite being cleared of any criminal wrongdoing after he discussed drug use with a newspaper reporter. The Sunday Star Times headline read "Senior policeman at the centre of sex and drugs investigation resigns before facing internal charges". Links: Queer News Aotearoa |
| 11 Aug 2002 | GayNZ.com reports that Newtown Primary School has declined to host future Gay and Lesbian Fairs (Wellington, New Zealand) The fair had utilized the venue for the last 17 years. Links: GayNZ.com |
| 18 Aug 2002 | A man is arrested in connection with the killing of John Rogers. (Tauranga, New Zealand) Rogers was found near a public domain toilet block in central Tauranga. Links: Gay NZ |
| 21 Aug 2002 | The Hero Incorporated Society is wound up. (Auckland, United States of America) The Society was responsible for Auckland's Hero parties and parade. Links: Queer News Aotearoa |
| 3 Sep 2002 | New Zealand AIDS Foundation is blocked from erecting penis billboards. (New Zealand) The billboards were to promote National Penis Day on 5 September. Links: Gay NZ |
| 5 Sep 2002 | New Zealand AIDS Foundation launches the "Toolbox" safe sex campaign. (New Zealand) The toolbox contains condoms, lubricants and application hints, and was distributed to people on the street. Links: Gay NZ |
| 11 Sep 2002 | Newtown Primary School withdraws support for next years Wellington Gay and Lesbian Fair. (Wellington, New Zealand) The school declines a request for the school hall to be used for what would have been the 18th fair at the site. Links: Gay NZ |
| 15 Sep 2002 | Kiwifruits fundraising calendar is launched. (New Zealand) The community calendar is a fundraising project for gay touch rugby players heading to the Sydney Gay Games. Links: Gay NZ |
| 20 Sep 2002 | Countrymen's Institute sauna closes. (Auckland, New Zealand) The sauna was established in 1988 by Glen Morris and Lawson Bracewell. Links: Gay NZ |
| 27 Sep 2002 | The general assembly of Presbyterian Church rejects a motion to investigate the church's position on gay ministers. (New Zealand) The motion is put forward by the Wellington Presbytery. Links: Gay NZ |
| 28 Sep 2002 | Michael Pattison gains media attention as an openly gay man competing in the Cleo Bachelor of the Year. (New Zealand) Pattison has previously won Mr Gay Wellington and Mr Drag Wellington. Links: Gay NZ, Access My Library |
| 16 Oct 2002 | Uzi Even becomes the first openly homosexual man in Israel's parliament. Links: Wikipedia, Gay NZ |
| 17 Oct 2002 | The Jimmy hosts a farewell event for people going to the Gay Games in Sydney. (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Gay NZ |
| 31 Oct 2002 | GayNZ.com reports that the Newtown School Board will now allow the Gay and Lesbian Fair to take place at the school (Wellington, New Zealand) The school had previously declined a request to hold the annual fair at the school (something which had occurred for the last 17 years). Links: GayNZ.com |
| 1 Nov 2002 | Panels from the New Zealand Memorial AIDS Quilt travel to Australia to be part of an international display at the Sydney Gay Games. (Sydney, Australia) Links: Gay NZ |
| 2003 | David McNee, an interior designer and former television host is killed The provocation defence is successfully used by Phillip Layton Edwards who is found guilty of manslaughter. Edwards was sentenced to nine years imprisonment. He is due for release in April 2012 |
| 2003 | The Nayland Alliance of Gays and Straights (NAGS) is formed at Nayland College (Nelson, New Zealand) |
| 2003 | Gender and women's studies. Queer sexualities, histories and politics is published by Victoria University of Wellington |
| 15 Feb 2003 | The Outlines conference takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) The conference is about lesbian and gay history in Aotearoa. Links: LAGANZ |
| 8 Mar 2003 | Pansy by Peter Wells is screened on TV1. (New Zealand) Wells looks at his own life and the world of New Zealand in the 1950s and 60s. Links: MF Films |
| 12 Mar 2003 | An advert from Wellington City Council supports the annual Gay and Lesbian Fair (Wellington, New Zealand) Published in Capital Times, the text reads: Wellington City Council is proud to support the Gay and Lesbian Fair. Best Wishes Kerry [Prendergast, Mayor of Wellington] |
| 15 Mar 2003 | The 18th Gay and Lesbian Fair takes place at Newtown School (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: GayNZ.com |
| 18 May 2003 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 25 Jun 2003 | The Prostitution Reform Bill 2003 is read a third time, voted on and passed. (New Zealand) The Bill was introduced into Parliament by Tim Barnett (Christchurch Central, Labour Party). It passes its third reading 60-59. |
| 5 Oct 2003 | The Pope states to the Anglican Church his opposition to homosexuality. ((worldwide)) |
| 7 Dec 2003 | Two people announce that they are now straight after years as homosexuals. (New Zealand) The interview was screened on 20/20, TV3. |
| 2004 | From Freyberg : a novel by Bill Edginton is published |
| 2004 | Queer Nation broadcasts end It became the world's longest running free-to-air TV programme for an LGBT audience |
| 13 Mar 2004 | The 19th Gay and Lesbian Fair takes place at Newtown School (Wellington, New Zealand) This year the fair was organised by the Gay Association of Professionals (GAP). Links: GayNZ.com |
| 16 May 2004 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 23 Aug 2004 | Destiny Church's Enough is Enough march takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) Followers of Destiny Church march from Civic Square to the steps of Parliament. Links: GayNZ.com, NZ Herald |
| 24 Aug 2004 | Destiny Church's Brian Tamaki is interviewed about the Enough is Enough march in Wellington. (New Zealand) The interview broadcasts during the Holmes programme on TV1. |
| 25 Aug 2004 | The Dominion Post publishes a Tom Scott cartoon mocking the Enough is Enough march (Wellington, New Zealand) The text on the cartoon reads "I know this is not the right place or time, Kev, but you're really hot in those black pants". Links: Alexander Turnbull Library |
| 18 Sep 2004 | Peter Wells writes about the killing of David McNee (New Zealand) Wells writes an article for the Listener about the trial of Phillip Layton Edwards who killed David McNee in Auckland. The article begins: Listening to a dead person being made responsible for their own violent death is an odd sensation. Later in the article Wells makes the point: It is impossible in New Zealand - and many other countries - to murder a homosexual. It is possible to be found guilty of manslaughter. The underlying message is that any homosexual's life is of little value Links: Listener |
| 24 Sep 2004 | Presbyterian Church votes to prevent lesbians, gays or people in defacto relationships from becoming church leaders. |
| 25 Oct 2004 | HIV educator and activist Matt Whyte dies (New Zealand) Links: GayNZ.com |
| 1 Dec 2004 | The Civil Union Bill 2004 passes its second reading in Parliament (New Zealand) |
| 2 Dec 2004 | A trans woman burglar is sent to a male prison. (New Zealand) |
| 3 Dec 2004 | The Waikato Times publishes an Allan Charles Hawkey cartoon on the Civil Union Bill (Waikato region, New Zealand) The cartoon text reads "The Civil Union Bill is still very discriminatory. Giraffes do not even rate a mention". Links: Alexander Turnbull Library |
| 6 Dec 2004 | The Otago Daily Times publishes a Garrick Tremain cartoon on marriage (Otago region, New Zealand) The cartoon text reads "The fact is!.. Marriage is a blessed sacrament... A treasured institution! And you can't tell me that these gays and things...Will treat their marriages with the devotion and respect... That I've treated all mine!" Links: Alexander Turnbull Library |
| 9 Dec 2004 | Civil Union Act is passed The Act gives same-sex couples an equivalent to marriage |
| 2005 | The Samoa Fa'afafine Association is formed (Samoa) The Association was founded by So'oalo To'oto'oali'i Roger Stanley. |
| 2005 | Outlines: lesbian and gay histories of Aotearoa is published by Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand |
| 6 Jan 2005 | Makgatho Mandela, the eldest son of Nelson Mandela dies of AIDS related conditions. Links: BBC |
| 12 Mar 2005 | The 20th Gay and Lesbian Fair takes place at Newton School (Wellington, New Zealand) The fair includes the cutting of a civil union cake, celebrating the upcoming passing into law (next week) of the Relationships (Statutory References) Act 2005. This year the fair was organised by the Gay Association of Professionals (GAP). Links: GayNZ.com |
| 15 May 2005 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 11 Jun 2005 | There are calls in the media to help protect homosexual students from bullying. (New Zealand) News reports on TV1 and TV3 call for more protections. |
| 5 Oct 2005 | Justin Dalley is found not guilty of criminal nuisance. (Wellington, New Zealand) Dalley used a condom during sex with a woman but didn't tell her of his HIV-positive status. It is the first time in New Zealand that anyone is charged with criminal nuisance following protected sexual intercourse. The case sets a significant legal precedent: that HIV-positive people can choose not to tell sexual partners about the virus, as long as they wear a condom. Links: NZ Herald |
| 15 Oct 2005 | Daniel Fielding dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Daniel established the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt project in December 1988. Links: GayNZ.com, Tributes Online |
| Nov 2005 | UP magazine begins |
| 1 Dec 2005 | The first ILGA Pacific conference is held (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: ILGA |
| 2006 | Peter Wells is made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to literature and film (New Zealand) Links: New Zealand Book Council |
| 2006 | The Human Rights Commission launches an inquiry into discrimination experienced by transgender people (New Zealand) The inquiry is a world first by a national human rights institution. It results in the publication of To Be Who I Am/Kia noho au ki toku ano ao in January 2008. Links: Human Rights Commission |
| 11 Mar 2006 | The 21st Gay and Lesbian Fair is held at Newtown School (Wellington, New Zealand) This year the fair was organised by the Gay Association of Professionals (GAP). Links: GayNZ.com |
| 21 May 2006 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 7 Oct 2006 | Carmen Rupe's 70th birthday party is held at the Boatshed, Wellington (Wellington, New Zealand) |
| 10 Oct 2006 | Carmen Rupe visits Parliament on her birthday (Wellington, New Zealand) 32 years earlier Carmen had been brought before Parliament's Privileges committee because she suggested there were homosexual MPs. |
| 1 Dec 2006 | A conference to mark the 20th anniversary of homosexual law reform is held (Wellington, New Zealand) The 20 Years On - Homosexual Law Reform Conference is hosted by LAGANZ at the National Library. Links: LAGANZ |
| 23 Dec 2006 | Stanley Waipouri is killed (Palmerston North, New Zealand) Links: GayNZ.com |
| 10 Feb 2007 | MP Chris Carter (Te Atatu, Labour Party) and Peter Kaiser are civilly joined (New Zealand) Carter and Kaiser's civil union is the first for a Cabinet Minister or Member of Parliament in New Zealand. Links: Wikipedia |
| 10 Mar 2007 | The 22nd Gay and Lesbian Fair takes place at Newtown School (Wellington, New Zealand) This year the fair was organised by Rainbow Wellington - formerly the Gay Association of Professionals (GAP). Links: GayNZ.com |
| 12 Apr 2007 | Corner 4am and Cuba by Ronald Trifero Nelson premieres, Wellington |
| 2 May 2007 | Henare te Ua (broadcaster) dies. (Auckland) Links: NZ Herald |
| 20 May 2007 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 26 Nov 2007 | The trial of Ashley Arnopp and Andre Gilling begins over the death of Stanley Waipouri. (Palmerston North, New Zealand) Arnopp and Gilling are charged with murdering Waipouri in Palmerston North on 23 December 2006. Links: Gay NZ |
| 3 Dec 2007 | During his trial, Ashley Arnopp pleads guilty to the murder of Palmerston North man Stanley Waipouri. (Palmerston North, New Zealand) Arnopp's co-accussed, Andre Gilling maintains his innocence. Links: Gay NZ |
| 6 Dec 2007 | There is a hung jury in the murder trial of Andre Gilling. (Palmerston North, New Zealand) Gilling, along with Ashley Arnopp, is on trial for the 2006 killing of Palmerston North man Stanley Waipouri. Co-accused Ashley Arnopp, 20, earlier changed his plea to guilty. Links: Gay NZ |
| Jan 2008 | The Human Rights Commission publishes To Be Who I Am/Kia noho au ki toku ano ao (New Zealand) The inquiry into discrimination experienced by transgender people is a world first by a national human rights institution. Links: Human Rights Commission |
| 1 Mar 2008 | Out in the Square takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) Out in the Square grew out of the Gay and Lesbian Fair which had been run annually in Wellington since 1985. The fair changed its name in 2008 from the Gay and Lesbian Fair to be more inclusive. Links: GayNZ.com, Wikipedia |
| 15 Apr 2008 | Singer-songwriter Mahinarangi Tocker dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Tocker dies following a severe asthma attack. Links: Wikipedia |
| 30 Apr 2008 | The television soap opera Shortland Street includes a gay sex scene (New Zealand) The BSA later rule that the scene breached good taste and decency and children's interests. The scene involved two male characters lying in bed talking. One then went under the blankets and the other nervously asked him "where are you going?". The first character popped his head back up and replied it's a surprise before descending back under. This was the first time a BSA complaint was upheld against Shortland Street. Links: BSA |
| 18 May 2008 | 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 18 May 2008 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| Jun 2008 | Mates and Lovers, a History of Gay New Zealand by Chris Brickell is published |
| 19 Jun 2008 | Dr Matt Wildbore dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Wildbore supported many HIV positive men during the 1980s and 1990s. Links: GayNZ.com, NZ.com |
| 10 Sep 2008 | Composer Chris Gendall wins the 2008 APRA SOUNZ Contemporary award (Auckland, New Zealand) Chris receives the award during the APRA Silver Scroll Awards event held in Auckland Links: RNZ |
| 10 Sep 2008 | The Topp Twins are inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame (Auckland, New Zealand) The Topp Twins receive the honour during the APRA Silver Scroll award event in Auckland |
| 2009 | Teddy by Number 8 Films is released |
| Apr 2009 | Bud by Ronald Trifero Nelson premieres, Wellington |
| 5 Apr 2009 | Marvin Te Maunga Te Kotahitanga Peihopa, a teenager bullied for being "feminine", commmits suicide. (New Zealand) The coroner found Peihopa had experienced bullying at a number of schools in Northland before taking his own life. Links: Stuff |
| 29 Apr 2009 | Diksy Jones is killed by two men in Disky's home in Upper Hutt Phillip Sanders and David Galloway were later found guilty of manslaughter |
| 17 May 2009 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| Jul 2009 | Ferdinand Ambach is convicted of the manslaughter of Ronald Brown Ambach was initially charged with murder, but the charge was downgraded after Ambach's lawyer successfully argued the provocation defence (gay panic) |
| 12 Sep 2009 | The Vintner's Luck has its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival The film is based on Elizabeth Knox's novel Links: Wikipedia |
| 23 Sep 2009 | Mates and Lovers play by Ronald Trifero Nelson premieres, Wellington |
| 12 Nov 2009 | The Vintner's Luck has its New Zealand premiere. (New Zealand) Based on Elizabeth Knox's novel. Links: Wikipedia |
| 26 Nov 2009 | The provocation defence (gay panic defence) is abolished by Parliament (New Zealand) The removal of the provocation defence (Section 169 of the Crimes Act 1961) was in part due to a public outcry when it was used in a heterosexual context by Clayton Weatherston. He claimed he was provoked into stabbing his ex-girlfriend 216 times. He was eventually convicted of her murder. Links: NZ Herald, GayNZ.com |
| 30 Nov 2009 | Glenn Mills is found dead in a remand cell. (Auckland, New Zealand) Mills was accused of purposely infecting a number of sex partners with HIV. He was awaiting trial at the time of his death. He faced 28 charges relating to 14 people. Links: TV3, Gay NZ |
| 2010 | Communication by Number 8 Films is released |
| 2010 | Men Alone, Men Together by Mark Beehre is published |
| 16 May 2010 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 30 Oct 2010 | An article profiling LGBTI people in the NZ Defence Force is published in Your Weekend (Dominion Post) (New Zealand) Out in Uniform, an article by Beck Eleven, is published in Your Weekend (Fairfax) magazine profiling LGBTI people in the NZ Defence Force including Major Brendan Wood and Lieutenant Commander Kevin Sanderson, Flight Sergeant Annette Walding and Flight Lieutenant Stu Pearce |
| 5 Nov 2010 | Phillip Sanders and David Galloway are found guilty of the manslaughter of Diksy Jones Galloway was [finally] sentenced to nine years imprisonment, and Sanders nine years and six months |
| 2011 | The Colonel's Outing by Number 8 Films is released |
| 16 Jan 2011 | A lesbian couple's business is burnt down in a continued serious of hate crimes at Mangawhai Heads |
| 13 Feb 2011 | Big Gay Out is held at Coyle Park in Pt Chevalier (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision |
| 7 Mar 2011 | Jason Meads is released from prison after serving a sentence for murdering Jeff Whittington in 1999 (New Zealand) Links: Stuff, Wikipedia |
| 12 Mar 2011 | 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames is held in Wellington The games ran for a week and included sports and cultural events plus a human rights conference |
| 12 Mar 2011 | Queen of the Whole Universe (a slightly queer beauty pageant) takes place at the Opera House (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Scoop |
| 16 Mar 2011 | 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames Human Rights Conference is held in Wellington |
| 15 May 2011 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 25 Jun 2011 | Sitaleki Koloamatangi attacks Trevor Kaukau leaving him severely brain damaged. (Auckland, New Zealand) Koloamatangi is later sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. Links: GayNZ, NZ Hearld |
| 3 Oct 2011 | A couple's car is targetted in an ongoing series of hate crimes at Mangawhai Heads |
| 19 Oct 2011 | Willie Ahsee is found guilty of the manslaughter of Denis Phillips |
| 20 Oct 2011 | Around 200 people march on parliament campaigning for gay marriage and adoption. (Wellington, New Zealand) The march was part of the LegaliseLove campaign. Links: GayNZ |
| 29 Oct 2011 | Frank Lund (a.k.a. Toni Roget) dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Frankie was a female impersonator who created elaborate outfits (a number of them now are held by Te Papa) |
| 19 Nov 2011 | Piri Norris and Justin Elder have the first civil union at Parliament |
| 10 Dec 2011 | Phillip Cottrell is assaulted while working home and subsequently dies, Wellington |
| 15 Dec 2011 | Carmen Rupe dies (Sydney, Australia) Carmen was a New Zealand-Australian performer, brothel keeper, anti-discrimination activist, would-be politician, and HIV AIDS activist. Links: GayNZ.com |
| 15 Dec 2011 | Willie Ahsee is sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for the manslaughter of Denis Phillips |
| 21 Jan 2012 | Out in the Square is held in Civic Square, Wellington It is the 27th annual gay and lesbian fair to be held in Wellington |
| 23 Jan 2012 | Roman Skorek is stabbed to death in Kuirau Park, Rotorua Four young men were charged with his murder |
| 12 Feb 2012 | Andreas Derleth wins Mr Gay New Zealand 2012 (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: GayNZ |
| 12 Feb 2012 | Big Gay Out is held at Coyle Park in Pt Chevalier, Auckland It is estimated 14,000 people attended |
| 14 Feb 2012 | A lesbian couple saboutage the "win a divource" promotion on the The Rock radio station (New Zealand) Links: Gay NZ |
| 15 Feb 2012 | Green MP Jan Logie makes her maiden speech in Parliament Logie describes herself as a "leftie, feminist lesbian" |
| 16 Feb 2012 | Sam Johnson wins Young New Zealander of the Year Johnson was the founder of the Student Volunteer Army that assisted during the Christchurch earthquake recovery |
| 28 Feb 2012 | Nicholas Nitro is convicted on a charge of receiving commercial sexual services from a person aged sixteen Nitro is the co-owner of the Closet cruise club in Christchurch |
| 28 Feb 2012 | Sitaleki Koloamatangi is sentenced to 12 months in jail for attacking Trevor Kaukau Koloamatangi was charging with "injuring that, had death been caused, he would have been guilty of manslaughter". Kaukau was left severely brain damaged |
| 3 Mar 2012 | Sea of Love float honouring Carmen Rupe is part of the Sydney Mardi Gras, Australia |
| 19 Apr 2012 | Johnny Croskery (female impersonator, volunteer, activist) dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Tapatoru |
| 20 May 2012 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is held |
| 1 Jul 2012 | The Topp Twins first ever museum exhibition opens at the Waikato Coalfields Museum in Huntly (New Zealand) The exhibition, called Six Strings and Politics, opened with a concert featuring the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band and the Cultural Performance Group from Huntly College |
| 29 Aug 2012 | The first reading of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 30 Nov 2012 | Former MP Katherine O'Regan apologies for not including transgender people in the anti-discrimination measures of the Human Rights Act 1993 (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 28 Feb 2013 | Coroner Gordon Matenga rules Douglas Hughes (soldier) committed suicide. (New Zealand) Links: Stuff |
| 13 Mar 2013 | The second reading of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 27 Mar 2013 | The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) debates the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill (New Zealand) MP Jacinda Ardern notes that her great uncle was imprisoned in 1948 for three years as the result of his sexuality. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 29 Mar 2013 | Former MP Warren Freer dies (New Zealand) |
| 17 Apr 2013 | The third reading of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand) The Bill passes its third and final reading: 77 ayes / 44 noes. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 21 Jun 2013 | Artist Meg Torwl dies Links: North Shore News, PrideNZ.com |
| 11 Aug 2013 | Police search for Phillip Edwards after a child is abducted. (Auckland, New Zealand) In 2003 Edwards was found guilty of the manslaughter of interior decorator David McNee. Links: Gay NZ |
| 22 Aug 2013 | Actor Wentworth Miller comes out in an open letter protesting Russia's anti-gay laws. (United States of America) Miller is best know for his role in the tv series Prison Break. Links: Stuff |
| 31 Aug 2013 | A quiz night raises $1,500 for the new Body Positive office in Wellington. (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Gay NZ |
| 31 Aug 2013 | An event to honour Peter Taylor is held at St Matthew-in-the-City. (Auckland, New Zealand) Taylor, who has been unwell for a number of years, tells media that he will stop medical treatments after the event. Links: Gay NZ |
| 3 Sep 2013 | Coroner H Brandt Shortland finds a teenager bullied for being "feminine", committed suicide. (New Zealand) Marvin Te Maunga Te Kotahitanga Peihopa died on 5 April 2009. Links: Stuff |
| 3 Sep 2013 | Phillip Edwards is arrested after a child was abducted in August and later found abandoned. (Auckland, New Zealand) In 2003 Edwards was found guilty of the manslaughter of interior decorator David McNee. Links: Gay NZ |
| 10 Sep 2013 | A tour of Archives New Zealand is held as part of the inaugural Queer Heritage Month. (Wellington, New Zealand) The tour is organised by the Lesbian and Gay Archives of New Zealand. Links: Gay Express |
| 10 Sep 2013 | David Cunliffe stands down a campaign worker during his bid for the Labour Party leadership. (New Zealand) Jennie Michie is quoted as remarking earlier "It would be naive to imagine that there would be no resistance to a gay prime minister at this point". Links: Gay NZ |
| 16 Sep 2013 | Peter Taylor, a well known Auckland personality dies. (Auckland, New Zealand) Taylor died shortly after stopping treatments for long-term HIV and leishmaniasis infections. Links: GayNZ.com (1), GayNZ.com (2) |
| 25 Sep 2013 | Correction Minister Anne Tolley announces that transgender prisoners will be housed according to their legal sex. (New Zealand) At the time of the announcement there were nine transgender offenders in the prison system. Links: Stuff |
| 27 Sep 2013 | A national conference on HIV is held. (Auckland, New Zealand) The conference heard about the growing evidence of links between HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, gonorrhoea and the HPV virus. Links: Gay NZ |
| 27 Sep 2013 | Paul Findlay resigns as a board-member of youth group Q-topia. (Christchurch, New Zealand) A sexting conversation was publicized in the media allegedly between Findlay and a person identifying themselves as a fifteen-year-old. Links: NZ Herald, GayNZ |
| 28 Sep 2013 | A tour of Archives New Zealand is held as part of the inaugural Queer Heritage Month. (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Gay Express |
| 28 Sep 2013 | NZ AIDS Foundation kaumatua Aunty Wai Mason dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Gay NZ, NZ AIDS Foundation, PrideNZ.com |
| 30 Sep 2013 | A public meeting is held to discuss safety on Karangahape Road. (Auckland, New Zealand) The meeting follows an increase in violence towards rainbow people in the K'Road area. Links: K'rd Community Safety |
| 1 Oct 2013 | Nathan Verhelst, a Belgium transsexual, dies through euthanasia Verhelst told media "None of these [gender reassignment] operations worked as desired ... I do not want to be a monster." Links: Stuff |
| 1 Oct 2013 | The Solicitor General (Mike Heron) declines a request for a second Coronial Inquiry into the death of Corporal Douglas Hughes. (New Zealand) Hughes committed suicide in Afghanistan shortly after being questioned about a situation with a subordinate soldier. Links: Gay NZ |
| 11 Oct 2013 | The Beyond conference takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) The conference is organised by the Queer Avengers (Wellington) and aims to address the lived experiences of queer/trans people in relation to identity, race, disability, the media, healthcare, parenting, education and imprisonment (among others). Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 17 Oct 2013 | Geno Sisneros' complaint against the Anglican Church is dismissed by the Human Rights Tribunal. (Auckland, New Zealand) Sisneros complained that the Bishop of Auckland had prevented him from becoming a priest because of his sexuality. Links: Gay NZ |
| 19 Oct 2013 | The Government announces it will send a diplomat to watch over New Zealanders attending the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. (New Zealand) Various Members of Parliament had requested the government help protect rainbow people at the games from discrimination and harassment. Links: Gay NZ |
| 26 Oct 2013 | Dramatist and performer Paul Jenden dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Jenden was a lyricist, writer and choreographer of numerous New Zealand productions. Links: GayNZ.com, Stuff |
| 10 Nov 2013 | The first Gay wedding expo takes place in New Zealand (Auckland, New Zealand) The expo at the Ellerslie Event Centre showcases over 150 wedding professionals. Links: Gay Wedding show |
| 27 Dec 2013 | Entrepreneur Tony Katavich dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Katavich created the Out! business empire with Brett Sheppard. Links: GayNZ.com |
| 7 Feb 2014 | Auckland Pride is held. (Auckland, New Zealand) Links: Gay NZ |
| 19 Feb 2014 | The second reading of the Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 6 Apr 2014 | Dr Charles Farthing dies (China) Farthing was a pioneering doctor specialising in the early recognition and treatment of HIV AIDS. He died while traveling in Hong Kong. Links: New Zealand Medical Journal, Wikipedia |
| 9 Apr 2014 | The third reading of the Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand) The Bill passed its third reading unanimously. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 6 Nov 2014 | Hui Takataapui takes place (Waikato region, New Zealand) The hui is held at Te Papa-o-Rotu Marae, Whatawhata. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 3 Oct 2015 | Author William Taylor dies (Taumarunui, New Zealand) Links: GayNZ.com (1), GayNZ.com (2), NZ Society of Authors |
| 11 Mar 2016 | The first ever intersex workshop is held in New Zealand (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 22 Apr 2016 | Shift hui takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) The annual hui is organised by InsideOUT and is for young people of diverse sexualities, sexes and genders. The hui takes place at Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 6 Jul 2016 | The rainbow flag is flown for the first time at Parliament (Wellington, New Zealand) The rainbow flag is flown for the first time on the forecourt of Parliament to mark the 30th anniversary of Homosexual Law Reform. |
| 14 Feb 2017 | The children's fairy tale book Promised Land is published (New Zealand) The book is co-authored by Adam Reynolds and Chaz Harris. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 15 May 2017 | Vicki Letele dies (Auckland, New Zealand) Letele, who was serving a prison term for fraud, was denied parole in October 2016, but was released on compassionate grounds in November 2016 to spend her final months with loved ones. Links: GayNZ |
| 17 May 2017 | Chelsea Manning is released from US military prison (United States of America) Manning, a former US military intelligence analyst, was released after serving seven years in a US military prison for passing on classified documents to WikiLeaks. Manning's 35-year sentence was commuted by President Obama just before he left office. |
| 17 May 2017 | The rainbow flag is flown at Parliament to mark IDAHOBIT (Wellington, New Zealand) The rainbow flag is flown for the second time at Parliament to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia and Intersexphobia (the first time the flag flew was on 6 July 2016 to mark the 30th anniversary of Homosexual Law Reform) |
| 20 May 2017 | The Topp Twins exhibtion shows at Te Manawa Musuem (Palmerston North, New Zealand) The exhibition, curated by Sian Torrington, runs from 20 May - 29 October 2017 |
| 21 May 2017 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial service is held at St Matthew-in-the-City (Auckland, New Zealand) This is one of only two memorial services held in New Zealand. |
| 21 May 2017 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial service is held at Tararua Tramping Club (Wellington, New Zealand) This is one of only two memorial services held in New Zealand. Links: PrideNZ |
| 23 May 2017 | Butch: a photographic exploration by Rachel Hoskin exhibits at Te Manawa Musuem (Palmerston North, New Zealand) The exhibition runs from 23 May - 18 June 2017. |
| 29 May 2017 | Data released today shows that 244 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2016 in New Zealand (New Zealand) The data from the AIDS Epidemiology Group showed that in 2016, 217 men and 27 women were diagnosed HIV+, the highest numbers ever recorded in New Zealand Links: RNZ |
| 31 May 2017 | Gaynz.com ends (New Zealand) Based in Auckland, GayNZ was a daily news and features website. It also had forums, an event calendar, scene photographs, business listings and personal ads. Many of the articles have been archived online by multiple sites. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 2 Jun 2017 | Dr David Lim is found guilty of stupefying and indecently assaulting patients (Hastings, New Zealand) Links: Stuff |
| 7 Jun 2017 | PPTA calls for gender-neutral uniforms and toilets be introduced into schools (New Zealand) The Taranaki Daily News reports that in its latest voluntary guidelines, the Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) calls for gender-neutral uniforms and toilets be introduced into schools. Links: Stuff.co.nz |
| 16 Jun 2017 | LGBTI rainbow advocate Aaron Fleming receives a Blake Leader Award from the Sir Peter Blake Trust (Wellington, New Zealand) The award was presented to Fleming by the Governor General Her Excellency Dame Patsy Reddy at Government House in Wellington. Links: Stuff |
| 16 Jun 2017 | Mika X is confirmed as The Opportunities Party (TOP) candidate for the Auckland Central Electorate (Auckland, New Zealand) TOP was founded by philanthropist Gareth Morgan in November 2016. Links: Scoop |
| 16 Jun 2017 | Purple Onion - a dance work inspired by the drag venue - is performed by Le Moana at the Hannah Playhouse (Wellington, New Zealand) The dance work had two performances - Friday and Saturday night at 9.30pm Links: Stuff |
| 20 Jun 2017 | Blake Skjellerup (speed skater) says leading sporting bodies still aren't doing enough to counteract homophobia (New Zealand) Stuff reports Skjellerup saying "I still think within the professional sporting environment in New Zealand there is a fear by administration and athletes to step outside of the status quo, and to go against what has always been done, or in this case, not be done." Links: Stuff |
| 30 Jun 2017 | Germany's Bundestag votes to legalize same-sex marriage The Bill is passed 393-226, with 4 abstentions and 7 absentees. Links: Wikipedia |
| 4 Jul 2017 | Sportsperson Cory McLennan reveals to the NZ Herald that he almost gave up on the sport due to fears about coming out as gay (New Zealand) Aged 19, McLeannan was the youngest person to sail solo from Port Taranaki, New Zealand to Mooloolaba, Australia. He came out in 2015. In 2017 he launched the Rainbow Racing project to promote a message of acceptance and inclusiveness Links: NZ Herald |
| 5 Jul 2017 | Creative New Zealand announces writer Paul Diamond is the latest recipient of the Berlin Writers Residency (New Zealand) Diamond will spend up to 11 months in Berlin researching and writing a book about former Whanganui mayor, Charles Mackay, who was killed in Berlin in 1929 while working as a journalist Links: Creative New Zealand |
| 6 Jul 2017 | Parliament apologies for the hurt and stigma caused by the historic criminalisation of consensual homosexual activity (New Zealand) During the first reading of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill, Justice Minister Amy Adams read the following apology "Today we are putting on the record that this house deeply regrets the hurt and stigma suffered by the many hundreds of New Zealand men who were turned into criminals by a law that was profoundly wrong, and for that, we are sorry." Links: PrideNZ.com, Parliament.nz |
| 6 Jul 2017 | The first reading of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand) The Bill unanimously passes its first reading. Links: PrideNZ.com, Parliament.nz |
| 9 Jul 2017 | In a radio interview National MP Chester Borrows says he has changed his mind on same-sex marriage (New Zealand) The departing Member of Parliament talks about how, after voting against Marriage Equality, now supports it. As celebrant he has married a gay couple Links: RNZ |
| 12 Jul 2017 | Alison Mau is announced as a finalist in the Women of Influence awards (New Zealand) Established in 2012, the awards are run by Fairfax Media Links: Stuff |
| 18 Jul 2017 | Johnny Lumsden admits in court to endangering the health of three men by criminal nuisance (Christchurch, New Zealand) After lying about his HIV status, Lumsden has unprotected sex with three men he met through social media Links: Stuff |
| 23 Jul 2017 | Auckland Pastor Logan Robertson calls for gay people to be shot (Auckland, New Zealand) During a sermon at the Westcity Bible Bapist Church, Past Robertson states he isn't against homosexuals getting married "as long as a bullet goes through their head the moment they kiss...that's what should happen". Excerpts of the video sermon are then uploaded to Youtube. Links: NZ Herald, PrideNZ |
| 18 Aug 2017 | Dr David Lim is sentenced to five years in prison for indecently assaulting five male patients (New Zealand) Dr Lim was sentenced in the Napier District Court |
| 18 Aug 2017 | Police say Pastor Logan Robertson committed no criminal offence with his hate speech (Auckland, New Zealand) In a sermon on 23 July, Robertson from the WestCity Bible Baptist Church in Avondale said "I'm not against [homosexuals] getting married as long as a bullet goes through their head the moment they kiss...that's what should happen". Police issued a statement to Newshub stating no criminal offence has been committed. Links: Newshub |
| 18 Aug 2017 | The National Day of Silence is held (New Zealand) The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying, name-calling and harassment in schools. Links: Day of Silence |
| 23 Sep 2017 | The General Election sees at least seven rainbow politicians in Parliament (New Zealand) Louisa Wall, Grant Robertson, Meka Whaitiri, Tamati Coffee and Kiritapu Allan (Labour Party); Jan Logie (Green Party) and Chris Finlayson (National Party) Links: Gay Express |
| 25 Sep 2017 | A same-sex couple are denied a church wedding by St Peter's Anglican Church (New Zealand) The Anglican Church denies Alexandra Saunders and Sara Rimmer the right to marry at St Peter's in Paekakariki. The churches nationwide position is to "uphold Christian marriage as a union of a man and a woman". Priests are not allowed to officiate same-sex marriages. Links: Stuff |
| 20 Nov 2017 | Transgender Day of Remembrance is commemorated around New Zealand (New Zealand) |
| 20 Jan 2018 | So'oalo To'oto'oali'i Roger Stanley dies (Samoa) Stanley was the founder and President of the Samoa Fa'afafine Association. Links: Express, Samoa Observer |
| 2 Feb 2018 | The Auckland Pride Festival takes place (Auckland, New Zealand) The festival runs until the 18 February. Links: Auckland Pride Festival |
| 11 Feb 2018 | Zena Campbell is killed (Wellington, New Zealand) Campbell is found strangled in a car in Aro Valley. Links: Stuff |
| 12 Feb 2018 | Dana de Milo dies (Wellington, New Zealand) Links: Facebook |
| 17 Feb 2018 | The Prime Minister marches for the first time in the Auckland Pride Parade (Auckland, New Zealand) Featuring more than 50 entries the parade will "march for peace, love and unity at a time of escalating global unrest, when human rights are increasingly under attack all over the world." The parade begins at 7.30pm at the north end of Ponsonby Road, near the Tole Street intersection, before progressing south along Ponsonby Road, and ending just past Western Park. Although former Prime Minister's Helen Clark and Jenny Shipley had attended previous parades, Jacinda Ardern was the first to march in one. Links: Auckland Pride Festival |
| 24 Feb 2018 | The Wellington Pride Festival Tu Whakahihi e Te Whanganui-a-Tara takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) The festival begins with Out in the Park and runs until 10 March. Links: Wellington Pride Festival, PrideNZ.com |
| 9 Mar 2018 | Wellington Mayor Justin Lester announces a Rainbow Crossing on Cuba/Dixon Streets as part of a new rainbow precinct (Wellington, New Zealand) The pedestrian crossing is due to be unveiled in the middle of 2018. Links: PrideNZ.com, Stuff |
| 10 Mar 2018 | The Wellington International Pride Parade takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) The parade begins at 7pm in Tennyson Street, moves into Cambridge Terrace, then through Courtenay Place until turning at Taranaki Street towards the waterfront. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 20 Mar 2018 | A vigil is held for Zena Campbell who was killed on 11 February 2018 (Wellington, New Zealand) The vigil was organised by Bella Simpson and held in Civic Square. Links: PrideNZ |
| 20 Mar 2018 | The outside of the Michael Fowler Centre is lit in blue, pink and white lights to commemorate Zena Campbell (Wellington, New Zealand) Wellington Mayor Justin Lester wrote on his Facebook page "We're standing side by side, shoulder to shoulder with the pride and trans community." Links: PrideNZ |
| 26 Mar 2018 | The Topp Twins: an exhibition for New Zealand is launched at the National Library (Wellington, New Zealand) The exhibition runs from the 27 March 2018 - 22 September 2018. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 27 Mar 2018 | The second reading of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand) The Bill unanimously passes its second reading. Links: PrideNZ.com, Parliament.nz |
| 28 Mar 2018 | The Committee of the whole House (Parliament) considers the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill (New Zealand) The Bill is reported back to the House without amendment. The report is then unanimously adopted. Links: PrideNZ.com, Parliament.nz |
| 31 Mar 2018 | International Transgender Day of Visibility is held (New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia |
| 3 Apr 2018 | The third reading of the Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand) The Bill unanimously passes its third reading. Links: Parliament.nz |
| 8 Apr 2018 | The Dunedin Pride 2018 Hui Taurima Kahukura, Otepoti takes place (Dunedin, New Zealand) The festival is organised by *Q-Squared Trust, a new charitable organisation with a vision to "create an inclusive and affirming environment for LGBTQIA communities in Dunedin and surrounding areas." |
| 10 Apr 2018 | Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle says Israel Folau should have "put a positive spin on that same message" (Australia) Folua had earlier stated that homosexuals would go to "HELL" unless they repent their sins. Links: ABC |
| 10 Apr 2018 | The Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Act 2018 comes into force (New Zealand) Links: Parliament.nz, Ministry of Justice |
| 20 Apr 2018 | Shift hui takes place (Wellington region, New Zealand) The annual hui is organised by InsideOUT for "young people of minority sexualities, genders and sex characteristics". It takes place at Horouta Marae in Porirua. Links: InsideOUT |
| 2 May 2018 | Former MP Katherine O'Regan dies (Waikato region, New Zealand) As Associate Minister of Health, O'Regan championed amendments to the Human Rights Act 1993 - outlawing discrimination on the grounds of disability, sexual orientation, and having organisms in the body which might cause disease. Links: Stuff |
| 17 May 2018 | The Human Rights Commission joins with the Rainbow NZ Parliamentary Network to commit to twice-yearly community hui (New Zealand) Commissioner Dr Jackie Blue said "these hui will alternate between Auckland and Wellington every six months, providing a space for the community's voices to be heard by Rainbow leaders in Parliament." Links: Human Rights Commission |
| 17 May 2018 | The transgender, bisexual, intersex and rainbow flags are flown at Parliament (Wellington, New Zealand) The flags are flown to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). This is also the first time in the world where the intersex flag has been flown in front of the seat of government. Links: PrideNZ.com, Human Rights Commission, Stuff.co.nz |
| 18 May 2018 | The annual Pink Shirt Day is marked throughout the country (New Zealand) Links: Wikipedia, Stuff.co.nz |
| 20 May 2018 | International AIDS Candlelight Memorial services are held (New Zealand) In Wellington a service is held at the Tararua Tramping Club and in Auckland a service is held at St Matthew in the City. Links: PrideNZ.com |
| 4 Jun 2018 | Jacquie Grant becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) (West Coast region, New Zealand) Grant was awarded the honour for services to the community. She had earlier received the MNZM in 1997. Links: Stuff.co.nz |
| 4 Jun 2018 | The Topp Twins are appointed Dame Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit (New Zealand) The honours for Jools and Lynda Topp were announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Links: Stuff.co.nz |
| 6 Jul 2018 | Australian police charge Pastor Logan Robertson after allegedly harassing worshippers at two Brisbane mosques (Australia) Robertson faces deportation back to New Zealand. In July 2017 the Pastor called for gay people to be shot through the head. Links: RNZ |
| 23 Jul 2018 | UniQ Victoria pride week takes place (Wellington, New Zealand) |