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Timeline: August

August 1924

  • Effie Pollen and poet Ursula Bethell begin living together (Christchurch). Links: PrideNZ.com, Te Ara

August 1977

  • Manawatu Gay Rights Association (MAGRA) is formed (Palmerston North). 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

August 1979

  • Ascent Christchurch is formed for gay and lesbian Catholics (Christchurch)
  • Geyserland Gay Club is formed (Rotorua)

August 1980

  • The Labour Party nominates Ian Scott as its candidate for Eden (Auckland). Out magazine reports in its August issue that "this is the first time an openly avowed homosexual has been selected by a major political party as its candidate for a a national election, anywhere in the Western world" (Robin Duff stood for the Values Party in 1975 and 1978 as an openly gay candidate)

August 1983

  • The Gay and Lesbian Information Centre is formed (Dunedin). It is later absorbed by the Otago Gay and Lesbian Welfare Council in 1984

August 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. Link: LAGANZ
  • Bruce Burnett begins a nationwide one-person AIDS education roadshow (New Zealand)

August 1987

  • Television current affairs: Jim Bolger is interviewed during the 1987 election campaign (New Zealand). Bolger talks about gender and homosexuality. One current affairs, ref F60708. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision
  • Wellington City Council grants same-sex partners of bus-drivers the same free travel passes as opposite-sex partners (Wellington)

August 1992

  • Moving-image footage: Mika Juiced (Nelson). Footage of the performance at the Nelson STD conference. Ref F62168. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

August 1996

  • Gays and Lesbians in Business (GLIB) is formed (Christchurch). Link: Queer History
  • Mani Bruce Mitchell attends the world's first international intersex retreat (United States of America). During the gathering the documentary Hermaphrodites Speak was filmed which documented the experiences of seven people – including Mani's. Links: ITANZ, Youtube (1), Youtube (2), Youtube (3), WorldCat

1 August 1989

  • Television news report: a sex worker is being held in hospital after testing positive for HIV (Sydney, Australia). Eyewitness news, ref F97199. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

2 August 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

2 August 1988

  • Television news report: the Government is going to increase spending on AIDS prevention (New Zealand). Eyewitness news, ref F94406. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

2 August 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. Link: Forensic Investigators

2 August 1998

  • Television current affairs: Chris Arneson is being denied his US pension because of his HIV status (New Zealand). Arneson cannot return to the US to collect his pension because his HIV status is regarded under US law as "loathsome and contagious". 20/20, ref F36788. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

2 August 2006

  • Crown Law releases an opinion saying that transgender people are already protected under the existing human rights legislation of New Zealand (New Zealand). MP Georgina Beyer had introduced the Human Rights (Gender Identity) Amendment Bill in 2004 which would have offered specific protection from discrimination on the grounds of gender identity. However, Crown Law felt that transgender people could make complaints about discrimination under the ground of 'sex'. The legal opinion was also backed by the Human Rights Commission. Links: Hansard, Human Rights Commission

4 August 1908

  • The Crimes Act 1908 is enacted (New Zealand). Section 153-154 (p.598) states that everyone is liable to life imprisonment with hard labour if convicted of buggery, and upto ten-years imprisonment with hard labour for a male convicted of indecently assaulting another male. Link: Early New Zealand Statutes

4 August 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". Link: Papers Past

4 August 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

4 August 1988

  • Photographer Brian Brake dies (Auckland). Link: Wikipedia

4 August 2003

  • Television news report: anger in South Africa about access to AIDS drugs (New Zealand). One news, ref F59275. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

4 August 2009

  • The Crimes (Provocation Repeal) Amendment Bill is introduced in Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill is introduced by the Minister for Justice, National MP Simon Power. Link: Parliament

5 August 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. Link: Papers Past

5 August 1971

  • The Evening Post reports that the National government will not reform the law relating to homosexuality (New Zealand). Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

5 August 1992

  • Former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon dies (Auckland). 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. Link: Te Ara

5 August 1998

  • Hamilton District Court rules a lesbian is liable for maintenance of a child born to her ex-partner during their relationship (Hamilton). There are no corresponding custody rights

5 August 2002

6 August 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. Link: Wikipedia
  • Television news report: blood test kits are made available to test for the AIDS virus (New Zealand). 6.30 news Top Half, ref F57699. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television news report: the visiting Rev. Lou Sheldon warns about homosexual law reform (New Zealand). Eyewitness news, ref F85163. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • The media reports blood testing kits are now available to test for AIDS (New Zealand)

6 August 1991

  • Television news report: police want to be warned if they are dealing with a person with Hepatitis B, HIV or AIDS (New Zealand). Interviewees include Lance Corcoran, Graham Harding and Warren Lindberg. Holmes, ref F105524. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

7 August 1995

  • The University Of Canterbury Gay Pride Week is held (Canterbury region). 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. Link: NZ.com

8 August 1976

  • Gay Pride Week takes place, 8-14 August (Wellington). Activities attract nearly 300 people and receive media publicity. Link: Saliant

8 August 1986

9 August 1983

  • Television: Petition presented to Parliament in protest of pornographic commercial TV advertising (New Zealand). ref: TZP16393. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

9 August 1985

  • Television news report: a $500,000 AIDS awareness campaign is launched (New Zealand). Eyewitness news, ref F85700. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • The media reports on an AIDS awareness campaign that will cost half a million dollars (New Zealand)

9 August 1986

  • Gay Games II takes place (San Francisco, United States of America). Link: Bay Area Reporter

9 August 2002

  • Auckland police senior sergeant Mark Richards resigns after a newspaper "sting". (Auckland). 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". Link: Queer News Aotearoa

9 August 2005

  • Television news report: the Justin Dalley court case begins (New Zealand). Interviewees include Emily White. TV3 news, ref F88290. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

11 August 1979

  • Television: National Gay Rights Coalition (NGRC) making recommendations to the Human Rights Commission (New Zealand). ref: TZP28741. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

11 August 2002

  • GayNZ.com reports that Newtown Primary School has declined to host future Gay and Lesbian Fairs (Wellington). The fair had utilized the venue for the last 17 years. Link: GayNZ.com

11 August 2013

  • Police search for Phillip Edwards after a child is abducted. (Auckland). In 2003 Edwards was found guilty of the manslaughter of interior decorator David McNee. Link: Gay NZ

12 August 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. Link: Te Ara

12 August 1979

12 August 1985

14 August 1980

  • Television: interview with sexologist Dr John Money (New Zealand). The report also looks at attitudes towards sex in New Zealand, ref: TZP43928. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

14 August 1981

14 August 1985

16 August 1919

  • A youth is arrested in female attire (Auckland). 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". Link: Papers Past

16 August 1979

17 August 1983

  • Television: interview with Garfield Johnson about the Johnson Report and sex education (New Zealand). ref: TZP110524. An interview with Garfield Johnson, the chair of the committee which published the Johnson Report. The Johnson Report's recommendation was that sex education should be made available in primary and intermediate schools. . Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

17 August 1987

  • Television news report: AIDS a growing problem in Switzerland (New Zealand). Eyewitness news, ref F93540. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

18 August 1990

  • A lesbian ball is held (Auckland)

18 August 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

18 August 2002

  • A man is arrested in connection with the killing of John Rogers. (Tauranga). Rogers was found near a public domain toilet block in central Tauranga. Link: Gay NZ

18 August 2009

  • The first reading of the Crimes (Provocation Repeal) Amendment Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). Link: Parliament

18 August 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
  • Police say Pastor Logan Robertson committed no criminal offence with his hate speech (Auckland). 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". Link: Newshub
  • 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. Link: Day of Silence

19 August 1995

  • The fifth annual AIDS Benefit Concert for the Hamilton branch of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation takes place (Hamilton). 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. Link: NZ.com

19 August 1998

  • National Government introduces a Human Rights Amendment saying it will bring Government into line with HRC Act (with some exceptions) (New Zealand)

19 August 2013

  • The Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013 is enacted (New Zealand). Link: Wikipedia

20 August 1909

  • Artist Rodney Kennedy is born (Dunedin). Link: Te Ara

20 August 1976

  • Television news report: Gay Pride Week (New Zealand). Looks at the Gay Liberation Movement's Gay Pride Week. Tonight, ref: TZP3871. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: Bruce Mason on "Courting Blackbird" (New Zealand). ref: TZP2031. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

21 August 1986

  • Newspaper report: an interview with Terry and Marge (born in New Zealand) (San Francisco). Both had come to the United States as war brides and now lived together. Marge was born in Auckland on 8 September 1921. Link: Bay Area Reporter

21 August 2002

  • The Hero Incorporated Society is wound up. (Auckland, United States of America). The Society was responsible for Auckland's Hero parties and parade. Link: Queer News Aotearoa

21 August 2020

  • The annual National Day of Silence takes place around the country (New Zealand). The event is a day of action in which students 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. Link: Day of Silence

22 August 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. Link: Stuff

23 August 1986

  • The Lesbians and Gays in Education conference is held (New Zealand)

23 August 2004

  • Destiny Church's Enough is Enough march takes place (Wellington). Followers of Destiny Church march from Civic Square, down Willis Street, Lambton Quay to the steps of Parliament. Links: GayNZ.com, NZ Herald

23 August 2006

  • MP Georgina Beyer withdraws the Human Rights (Gender Identity) Amendment Bill from Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill offered specific protection from discrimination on the grounds of gender identity. Beyer withdrew the Bill before its first reading following an opinion from Crown Law saying that transgender people are already protected under the existing human rights legislation of New Zealand. Links: Hansard, Parliament

24 August 1972

  • Television current affairs: sex education in New Zealand (New Zealand). Gallery, ref TZP87786. Link: TVNZ

24 August 1976

  • National MP Marilyn Waring is outed by the NZ Truth newspaper (New Zealand). The headline on the front page reads "MP's Odd Love Affair". The story begins "Marilyn Waring, National Member of Parliament for Raglan, is a lesbian. Her lover is a former Hamilton housewife and mother of three, who left her husband and children about three months ago to share a Wellington love nest."

24 August 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. Links: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision, TVNZ

24 August 2020

  • The first ever National Schools Pride Week takes place (New Zealand). The theme is "Celebrating Pride in every school." The week is co-ordinated by InsideOut. Link: School Pride

25 August 1991

  • Singer Sue Dunlop performs at the North by Northwest cafe (Wellington). Dunlop's performance includes Better than normal

25 August 2004

  • The Dominion Post publishes a Tom Scott cartoon mocking the Enough is Enough march (Wellington). 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". Link: Alexander Turnbull Library

26 August 1972

  • Television footage: Dame Edna Everage walks through the streets of Auckland (New Zealand). Saturday, ref TZP129960. Link: TVNZ
  • Television news report: looks at the reason behind the first Gay Liberation national conference (New Zealand). NZBC news, ref TZP86605. Link: TVNZ

26 August 1978

26 August 1995

  • The twelfth annual Auckland Lesbian Ball takes place (Auckland). 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. Link: NZ.com

27 August 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

28 August 1908

  • Dennis William Quill appears in court charged with being idle and disorderly (Wellington). 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. Link: Evening Post

28 August 1954

  • Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme are convicted of murdering Pauline's mother Honora Rieper (Wellington). Parker and Hulme were given indeterminate sentences in different prisons and released after five years. Links: Te Ara, Wikipedia, Guardian, PrideNZ.com

29 August 1943

  • Amy Bock dies (Auckland region). Bock dies at Bombay, south of Auckland, and is buried in the Pukekohe cemetery. Link: Te Ara

29 August 1946

29 August 1972

  • Television news: (silent) footage of the first National Gay Liberation Conference (Auckland). Gallery, ref TZP87787. This item has been digitised and an online viewing copy can be requested from the archive. Link: TVNZ
  • The first National Gay Liberation Conference is held (Auckland). The conferences are held every year until 1989 (except 1983). Link: TVNZ

29 August 2012

  • The first reading of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

30 August 1984

  • Television: The Auckland Blood Transfusion Service say that all precaution is taken to prevent patients from contracting AIDS, but that they can make no guarantees (Auckland). ref: TZP130997. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

30 August 1985

  • The national gay and lesbian Bigot Busters Conference is held (Wellington). Approximately 150 people attend the conference at Victoria University. Link: LAGANZ

30 August 1986

  • A Women's Studies conference is held (New Plymouth)

30 August 1998

  • Artist Toss Woollaston dies (Tasman region). Link: Te Ara

30 August 2006

31 August 1976

  • Television news report: reaction in Raglan to NZ Truth's articles outing MP Marilyn Waring (New Zealand). Tonight, ref: TZP3854. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

31 August 2004

  • Television news report: a man who is HIV+ pleads guilty to knowingly having unprotected sex with four women (New Zealand). TV3 news, ref F83527. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

31 August 2008

  • Sister Paula Brettkelly dies (New Zealand)

31 August 2013

  • A quiz night raises $1,500 for the new Body Positive office in Wellington. (Wellington). Link: Gay NZ
  • An event to honour Peter Taylor is held at St Matthew-in-the-City. (Auckland). Taylor, who has been unwell for a number of years, tells media that he will stop medical treatments after the event. Link: Gay NZ
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