Looking back at New Zealand military law's treatment of homosexuals from the 1940s to the 1960s

In a new article, New Zealand’s Military and the Disciplining of Sex between Men, 1940–1960 published in the University of Texas Press periodical, Journal of the History of Sexuality, Professor Chris Brickell from the University of Otago provides some interesting, if troubling, reflections on the approach which was taken by both the New Zealand military and civilian authorities to homosexual conduct by members of the Armed Forces during World War II and the immediate post-war period. Prof. Brickell correctly points to the ambivalence of many senior leaders and the inconsistent responses which resulted, despite fairly well developed official policy reflecting the prevailing law and societal attitudes. Even in the 1980s, as a young midshipman, I was instructed on the proper steps to take if confronted by "unnatural acts", which involved some quite forensic procedures. This created a degree of unease among my cohort. Homosexuality was regarded as a security risk, because foreign agents might use undisclosed homosexuality to blackmail an officer or sailor into divulging classified information. Of course, this entirely overlooked the fact that such blackmail was only possible because the system compelled LGBTQ personnel to conceal their sexual orientation.

I was also serving in one of HMNZ ships when the Human Rights Act 1993 came into force, prompting humorous banter in the Wardroom that "the closets would bust open" on the appointed day. Of course, nothing of the sort happened. What did happen was incremental changes in the culture (and policy) of the NZDF which has led to the much more enlightened approach to sexual orientation we see today. It has taken our community a while to realise that, while the professionalism and courage of our comrades in arms are important, their sexual orientation really isn't.