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Timeline: April

April 1972

  • The first National Women's Liberation Conference is held (Wellington)

April 1974

  • Circle magazine is marked "strictly not for men" (New Zealand). It is later changed to "women only"

April 1976

  • Diana Marvel Speaks magazine begins (Wellington). The magazine is published by a Radical Feminist Caucus including members of the Wellington Feminist Collective

April 1977

  • Lesbians Ignite Fire Brigade is formed (Wellington)

April 1981

  • National Lesbian Mothers' weekend is held (Auckland)

April 1982

  • Mobilisation for the Opening of Parliament is formed (New Zealand)

April 1984

April 1992

  • The Human Rights Commission publishes the discussion paper Discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation (New Zealand)

April 1993

  • The Taranaki Lesbian Newsletter begins publication (Taranaki region)

April 2009

  • Bud by Ronald Trifero Nelson premieres, Wellington

1 April 1980

  • Television: Eyewitness report on gay life and politics in New Zealand (New Zealand). ref: TZP9157. Includes examination of police harassment and the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. . Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

1 April 1987

  • Television news report: an underground network is setup in the US to supply unapproved AIDS drugs (New Zealand). Eyewitness news, ref: F58311. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

2 April 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

2 April 1985

  • Television news report: Auckland Blood Transfusion Centre evaluating new testing kits (Auckland). ref: TZP134241. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: the Auckland Blood Transfusion Service begins sampling AIDS testing kits (New Zealand). Eyewitness news, ref F62423. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • The media reports the Auckland Blood Transfusion Service is sampling AIDS testing kits (Auckland)

2 April 1986

  • The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). Link: PrideNZ.com

2 April 1987

  • Television news report: chemists to start selling syringes in an attempt to stop the spread of AIDS (New Zealand). Includes an interview with the Dr Michael Basset, Minister of Health. Eyewitness news, ref: F92479. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

3 April 1984

  • Television: An interview with the AIDS patient at Taranaki Base Hospital (Taranaki region). ref: TZP110503. The patient became the first AIDS death in New Zealand. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: interview with Sheila Kitzinger, author of Womens Experience of Sex (New Zealand). ref: TZP12640. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: Man with AIDS dies in Taranaki Base Hospital (Taranaki region). ref: TZP18581. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

3 April 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. Link: Parliament.nz

5 April 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. Link: Papers Past

5 April 1955

  • Politician Maryan Street is born (New Plymouth). Street became New Zealand's first openly out lesbian elected to Parliament in 2005. Link: Wikipedia

5 April 1980

  • The 8th National Gay Rights Conference is held (Dunedin)

5 April 1981

  • The first broadcast of Wellington Access Radio (Wellington). 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)

5 April 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. Link: Stuff

6 April 1895

6 April 1985

  • Television: McPhail and Gadsby political satire comedy skit featuring the Homosexual Law Reform Petition and Spot the Gay with Norman J (New Zealand). ref: TZP5748. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

6 April 1987

  • Television news report: the Australian government commits $3 million dollars to an AIDS awareness campaign (New Zealand). Eyewitness news, ref: F92493. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

6 April 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

7 April 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. Link: Music Web

7 April 1980

7 April 1991

  • Television current affairs: documentary about a sex worker who is HIV+ (Australia). 60 minutes, ref F103607. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

7 April 2019

  • Historian Gavin McLean dies (Wellington)

8 April 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. Link: Papers Past

8 April 1986

  • Television news report: Eve Van Grafhorst is to get another test for AIDS (New Zealand). Features Gloria Van Grafhorst and Dr Kitty Croxson. Eyewitness news, ref F91601. Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision

8 April 2018

  • The Dunedin Pride 2018 Hui Taurima Kahukura, Otepoti takes place (Dunedin). 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."

9 April 1984

  • Television: Prime Minister Robert Muldoon compares jouranlistic commentry on the Keith Allen affair to those that had happened during the Colin Moyle affair (New Zealand). ref: TZP110295. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

9 April 1985

9 April 1986

  • The Committee of the Whole House (Parliament) continues to consider the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand)

9 April 1998

  • Dare, Truth or Promise by Paula Boock wins the NZ Post Children's Book Award (New Zealand). Link: Wikipedia

9 April 2014

  • The third reading of the Sullivan Birth Certificate Bill takes place in Parliament (New Zealand). The Bill passed its third reading unanimously. Link: PrideNZ.com

9 April 2018

  • Award-winning hairdresser Derek Elvy dies (Wellington). Link: Stuff

9 April 2020

  • Former Vice Squad Detective Trevor Morley dies (Wellington). Link: PrideNZ.com

10 April 1890

  • Maata Mahupuku is born (New Zealand). Mahupuku was later a lover of Katherine Mansfield. Link: Te Ara

10 April 1978

  • Television news report: author Shere Hite visits New Zealand to promote her book The Hite Report (New Zealand). Ref TZP27385. Link: TVNZ

10 April 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

10 April 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". Link: ABC
  • The Criminal Records (Expungement of Convictions for Historical Homosexual Offences) Act 2018 is enacted (New Zealand). Links: Parliament.nz, Ministry of Justice

11 April 1910

  • Artist Toss Woollaston is born (Stratford). Link: Te Ara

11 April 1935

  • Entrepreneur Tony Katavich is born (Auckland). Katavich would later create the OUT! business empire with Brett Sheppard. Link: GayNZ

11 April 1967

  • Stanley Waipouri is born (Auckland region). Waipouri was killed in Palmerston North in 2006. Link: GayNZ.com

11 April 1985

  • Television current affairs: studio discussion on homosexual law reform (New Zealand). The discussion features Reverend Richard Flinn and Peter Wall from the Gay Task Force. 6.30 news Top Half, ref F57594. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television news report: almost three million dollars dedicated by the Government to AIDS research (New Zealand). ref: TZP13091. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: gay activists disrupt meeting of anti-reform activists (New Zealand). ref: TZP134033. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: Government funding to combat the spread of AIDS and a look at the nationwide debate over homosexual law reform (New Zealand). Two news reports - the first details new Government funding to combat the spread of AIDS. The second report looks at homosexual law reform and features an interview with MP Graeme Lee. Eyewitness news, ref F80137. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television news report: Ministry of Defence want the Armed Forces exempt from the proposed Homosexual Law Reform Bill's provisions (New Zealand). ref: TZP114112. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: new government funding for AIDS research programme (New Zealand). ref: TZP17894. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: Norman Jones and fellow anti-reform petitioners clashes with gay activists (Wellington). ref: TZP13083. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • The Government announces funding for a blood screening program to combat the spread of AIDS (New Zealand)

11 April 1987

  • The Awhina Clinic opens (Wellington). The HIV/AIDS clinic is later renamed the Awhina Centre

12 April 1976

  • Television feature: Big Brother, Little Sister by Witi Ihimaera (New Zealand). Winners and Losers, ref TZD569. Link: TVNZ

12 April 1985

  • A public meeting is held on the North Shore to debate homosexual law reform (Auckland). Link: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision
  • Television news report: church groups support homosexual law reform (New Zealand). Features interviews with Reverend Peter Beck and Geoff Hill. Eyewitness news, ref F80139. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television news report: public meetings are held on homosexual law reform (New Zealand). Features an interview with MP Geoff Braybrooke and reports on the Council of Churches voting in favour of reform. 6.30pm news Top Half, ref F57595. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television news: interview with Freddie Mercury and Queen (New Zealand). Ref TZM4869 and TZM4870. Links: TVNZ (1), TVNZ (2)
  • Television: gay activist Peter Wall interviewed about the meeting of opponents to homosexual law reform, which he disrupted (New Zealand). ref: TZP134039. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: interview with rock group Queen before their Auckland concert (Auckland). ref: TZP448217. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: National Council of Churches executive meeting will discuss homosexual law reform (Christchurch). ref: TZP129576. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

12 April 2007

  • Corner 4am and Cuba by Ronald Trifero Nelson premieres, Wellington

12 April 2012

  • Flags are flown at half-mast in memory of Corporal Douglas Hughes Flags are flown at half-mast on the final day of his tangi. Hughes committed suicide in Afghanistan shortly after being questioned about a situation with a subordinate soldier. Link: MCH

13 April 1972

  • Television current affairs: homosexual law reform (New Zealand). Gallery, ref TZP80134. Link: TVNZ

13 April 1985

  • Large numbers of homosexual law reform campaigners disrupt an anti-reform rally (New Zealand)
  • Television news report: Geoff Braybrooke discusses the public meetings about homosexual law reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP17401. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: National Council of Churches did not come to a unanimous resolution, but will encourage people to make submissions in favour of homosexual law reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP129396. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: the National Council of Churches supports homosexual law reform and a report on last night's North Shore meeting (New Zealand). 6.30 news, ref F80155. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • The National Council of Churches votes in support of decriminalising homosexuality (New Zealand)

13 April 1990

  • New Zealand's first Bisexual conference is held (Wellington). The conference is held 13-15 April in Newtown, Wellington

13 April 1997

  • Alyson Murrie-West is licensed as a Presbyterian minister at St Andrews-on-the-Terrace (Wellington)

14 April 1985

  • A public debate is held on the Homosexual Law Reform Bill at the Wellington Town Hall (Wellington)
  • Television current affairs: debate on homosexual law reform (New Zealand). The debate features Ian Scott, MP Fran Wilde, John Kennedy (Editor of the Tablet) and MP Geoff Braybrook. Sunday, ref F80159. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television news report: anti gay rally held by Coalition of Concerned Citizens in Cathedral Square, Christchurch (Christchurch). ref: TZP129399. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: National Council of Churches split over homosexual law reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP129505. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: pro reformers disrupt an anti-homosexual law reform rally (New Zealand). 6.30 news, ref F80156. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television news report: pro reformers disrupt an anti-homosexual law reform rally (New Zealand). 9.20 news, ref F80158. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television: gay Christians in Auckland (Auckland). ref: TZP8395. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

14 April 1999

  • Television news report: call to ban HIV/AIDS refugees and immigrants (New Zealand). One Network News, ref F40637. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

15 April 1935

  • Eric Mareo murders his wife Themla Mareo (Auckland). Themla was also in a relationship with dancer Freda Stark. Links: Papers Past, Te Ara

15 April 1979

  • Ascent Wellington is formed for gay and lesbian Catholics (Wellington)

15 April 1980

15 April 1983

15 April 1985

15 April 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

15 April 2008

  • Singer-songwriter Mahinarangi Tocker dies (Auckland). Tocker dies following a severe asthma attack. Link: Wikipedia

16 April 1909

16 April 1935

16 April 1978

  • Television current affairs: photographer Brian Brake (New Zealand). Sundays World, ref TZP2771. Link: TVNZ

16 April 1982

16 April 1985

  • Television news report: gay activists disrupt meeting of opponents to homosexual law reform (New Zealand). ref: TZP13026. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television: Norman Jones speaks to Otago University students about his opposition to homosexual law reform (Dunedin). ref: TZP123172. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

16 April 1986

  • Part 2 of the Homosexual Law Reform is voted down in Parliament (New Zealand). Part 2 of the Bill contained anti-discrimination measures. Link: PrideNZ.com

16 April 1987

  • Television news report: compulsory HIV testing for everyone over the age of 12 (New Zealand). An Otago University philosopher denies reports saying that he wanted compulsory testing. Eyewitness news, ref: F92527. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

17 April 1967

  • A public meeting endorses the formation of the Wolfenden Association (Wellington). Within a week the New Zealand Homosexual Law Reform Society is formed (the name replacing the Wolfenden Association). Links: Wikipedia, LAGANZ

17 April 1978

  • Television current affairs: Lawyer Mike Bungay talks about Colin Moyle and the North Report (New Zealand). Dateline Monday, ref TZP1124. Link: TVNZ

17 April 1985

  • Television: Catholic homosexual support group "Ascent" on homosexual law reform bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP14110. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

17 April 1986

  • Television news report: Eve van Grafhorst is confirmed to have AIDS (Hastings). 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. 6.30 news, ref F91630. Links: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision, Wikipedia
  • Television news report: Parliament decides that homosexuals aren't entitled to special protection under the law (New Zealand). Parliament decides that homosexuals aren't entitled special protection under the law. 6.30 news, ref F91630. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

17 April 1993

  • The first national conference of the New Zealand [AIDS] Quilt Project takes place (Auckland). The conference is attended by committee members, volunteers and regional coordinators. Link: New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt

17 April 2006

17 April 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. Link: PrideNZ.com

18 April 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. Link: Papers Past

18 April 1992

  • The National Gay Rights Coalition Hui Aranga Easter gathering is held (New Zealand)

19 April 1985

  • Television news report: Catholic bishops don't want to take a firm stand for or against homosexual law reform (New Zealand). Features an interview with Cardinal Tom Williams, Archibishop of Wellington. 6.30 news Top Half, ref F57603. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television: supporters of homosexual law reform holding a meeting in Auckland Town Hall (Auckland). ref: TZP134473. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

19 April 1996

  • The Pride Centre opens at its new premises (Auckland). The Centre is located at 33 Wyndham Street,between Albert and Hobson St, inside the Peoples Centre. Links: NZ.com (1), NZ.com (2)

19 April 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

19 April 2006

  • Television news report: New Zealand money helping Papua New Guinea to combat AIDS (New Zealand). One news, ref F92248. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

19 April 2012

  • Johnny Croskery dies (Wellington). Croskery was a female impersonator, volunteer and activist. Link: Tapatoru

19 April 2021

  • New Zealand's border opens for the first time in over a year (New Zealand). For the first time in over a year, New Zealand's border was opened in a two-way quarantine travel bubble with Australia

20 April 1927

  • George Grace is convicted and sentenced to 3-months imprisonment for wearing female clothing (Napier). 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.". Link: Papers Past

20 April 1985

20 April 1986

  • Television news report: a fund raising event is to be held to help Eve van Grafhorst and family move to New Zealand (New Zealand). 6.30 news, ref F91639. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

20 April 2018

  • Shift hui takes place (Wellington region). 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. Link: InsideOUT

22 April 1907

  • Bertha Victor appears in court charged with drunkenness, vagrancy, and using obscene language (Auckland). Link: Papers Past

22 April 1953

  • Charles Farthing is born (Christchurch). Farthing would later become a pioneering doctor specialising in the early recognition and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Links: New Zealand Medical Journal, Wikipedia

22 April 1983

  • The Topp Twins perform at Circa Theatre (Wellington)

22 April 1995

  • Tai Tahi Marsters attacks Jim Curtis (Napier). 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

22 April 2016

  • Shift hui takes place (Wellington). 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. Link: PrideNZ.com

23 April 1990

  • Singer Lew Pryme dies (Auckland). Pryme dies from AIDS-related complications. Link: NZ On Screen

24 April 1980

  • Arthur Ball stabs Miles MacFarlane to death (Wellington). MacFarlane is a total stranger to Ball, who is later found not guilty on the grounds of insanity

24 April 1985

  • Television news report: Virologist Paul Goldwater interviewed on his return from an AIDS conference (Auckland). ref: TZP134526. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

24 April 1992

  • The Sheilas Arms begins a women only night (New Plymouth). The Shelias Arms later renames to Club 47. The building is demolished in October 1996. Link: Fiona Clark

24 April 1996

  • The High Court hears an application by three lesbian couples seeking a ruling on the legality of their marriage applications (New Zealand)

25 April 1979

  • Television news report: a film crew flies to China to make two documentaries on Rewi Alley (Auckland). Ref TZP27535. Link: TVNZ

25 April 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)

25 April 1981

  • "Lesbian Liberation" is painted on a war memorial (Wellington)

26 April 1985

  • Public submissions close on the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand)
  • Television news report: Māori views on Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP12368. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: over 1000 submissions have been made regarding the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP13027. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision
  • Television news report: over one thousand submissions have been received by the Select Committee on homosexual law reform (New Zealand). 6.30 news Top Half, ref F57607. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland
  • Television news report: submissions to the Select Committee considering homosexual law reform close today (New Zealand). Eyewitness news, ref F80402. Links: Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, University of Auckland

27 April 1909

27 April 1984

27 April 1998

  • Anti-homosexual stickers are distributed across Victoria University campus (Wellington). 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

27 April 2004

  • Television news report: two performers in the US porn industry test positive for HIV (New Zealand). One news, ref F80908. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

28 April 1869

28 April 1956

  • Daniel Fielding is born (New Zealand). Fielding would later help establish the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt in December 1988. Link: Tributes Online

29 April 1985

  • Television: Fran Wilde talks about the age of consent in the Homosexual Law Reform Bill (New Zealand). ref: TZP17304. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

29 April 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

30 April 1886

  • Amy Bock is convicted of obtaining goods by false pretences (Christchurch). Link: Papers Past

30 April 1985

  • Television news report: anti-reform petitioners allege that they are gaining significant support (New Zealand). ref: TZP134541. Link: Nga Taonga Sound and Vision

30 April 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. Link: BSA
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