Audio from the 40 Years of Love gala, held at Parliament to mark the 40th anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986. Notable moments included Lynda Topp MCing her first event since the death of her sister, Jools. Prudence Walker, from the Human Rights Commission, acknowledged the Commission’s failure in the late 1970s, stating: “We fell short of our purpose of protecting and promoting the human rights and dignity of all people.” Later, Tu Chapman paid a personal tribute to Mani Mitchell, recognising their courage, leadership and foundational role in thirty years of organised intersex advocacy in Aotearoa. The Glamaphones choir performed at the end of the speeches - listen to them here
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The 40 Years of Love gala at Parliament marked the 40th anniversary of homosexual law reform in New Zealand, bringing together activists, politicians, community leaders, performers and supporters in the Banquet Hall on 9 July 2026. The event looked back at the campaign that led to the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986, celebrated the social change that followed, and warned that rainbow rights, transgender rights, intersex rights and wider human rights protections cannot be taken for granted.
The evening opened with Tīwhanawhana, followed by Labour MP Glen Bennett who welcomed guests to Parliament and acknowledged that the building could be a difficult place for many rainbow and transgender people. Recalling seeing protesters outside the Salvation Army as a child, Bennett thanked the campaigners who had introduced him to his community. He stressed that political change came through collective action and honoured figures including Fran Wilde, Louisa Wall, Marilyn Waring and Georgina Beyer.
The gala was hosted by MC's Luke Bird and Dame Lynda Topp, whose humour and warmth balanced celebration with remembrance. Dame Lynda reflected on performing with her sister at major rallies during the 1985 and 1986 campaign. She remembered the Bigot Busters rally at Wellington Town Hall and praised the Gay Task Force, Lesbian Coalition, Heterosexuals Unafraid of Gays, Campaign for Homosexual Equality, trans people, lesbians and gay men who united against discrimination and political hostility. Speaking only fifteen days after her sister’s death, she later led a moment of silence for those who had died.
Dame Fran Wilde, who championed the Homosexual Law Reform Bill in the mid 1980s, emphasised that reform was built on generations of suffering and resistance. Gay men had faced criminalisation, loneliness, violence and imprisonment, while many survived by remaining closeted. Wilde described how supporters identified MPs who were personally sympathetic but anxious about their electorates, then worked to change public opinion. Her parliamentary office became campaign headquarters, while activists across the country organised meetings, marches, mail-outs and lobbying. She argued that gay men who came out publicly were central to changing attitudes because friends, relatives, neighbours and workmates began to recognise that anti-gay stereotypes were false.
Bill Logan remembered the campaign taking place during the fear and hysteria of the emerging AIDS epidemic. Opponents claimed reform would spread disease and destroy society, but activists argued that safer sex required openness rather than fear. Logan highlighted two enduring lessons: remain united and never abandon the most vulnerable. He recalled pressure to accept a higher age of consent for gay men, but campaigners insisted on equality at 16.
Gavin Young described the wider activist campaign and the opposition’s nationwide rallies and petition. Anti-reform rhetoric fuelled workplace discrimination, social hostility and physical attacks, but it also encouraged supporters to organise positive public events. Large marches demonstrated visible support for the bill and drew strength from connections with the anti-apartheid, anti-nuclear and Māori land rights movements. Young stressed that campaigners put aside internal disagreements to face the greater external threat.
Linda Evans reflected on the liberation politics of the 1970s and the need to maintain coalitions across movements. Evans called for solidarity with takatāpui, disabled people, older and younger rainbow people, beneficiaries, low-paid workers and others affected by inequality. Remembering Tighe Instone, Porleen Simmonds and Alison Laurie, Evans also celebrated the friendships and purpose created through activism.
Peter Wall placed New Zealand’s reform within an international movement towards decriminalisation and human rights. He argued that progress had transformed public life for queer and gender-diverse people but was incomplete. Wall warned that conservative movements were targeting transgender people as an easier political target. He called on gay and lesbian communities to defend trans people and resist attempts to divide rainbow communities.
Human Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker acknowledged that the Commission had failed to support the National Gay Rights Coalition when, in 1979, it sought recognition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as a human rights issue. Walker said the Commission had fallen short of its responsibility to protect and promote the dignity of all people. She also linked homosexual law reform to later advances, including protection from discrimination under the Human Rights Act 1993, civil unions and marriage equality.
Tu Chapman celebrated both 40 years of homosexual law reform and 30 years of organised intersex advocacy, paying tribute to Mani Mitchell’s pioneering work. Chapman warned that equality is never won permanently and can be eroded through legislation, policy, language and public rhetoric.
Judy O’Brien of InsideOUT Kōaro concluded by imagining a future in which rainbow rangatahi can thrive without fear, bullying or exclusion. The gala’s central message was clear: celebrate the courage that changed the law, remember those who carried the struggle, and continue building an Aotearoa where every rainbow person can live openly, safely, proudly and authentically.
This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.
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