Gay Liberation Taranaki / Taranaki Gay Society – Newsletter No. 4 (28 August 1978)

Organisation(s):

• Gay Liberation Taranaki (proposed name in draft constitution)

• Taranaki Gay Society (current operating name at time of newsletter)

Document Title: Newsletter No. 4 – “Where Is This Group Heading??????”

Date: 28 August 1978

Location: New Plymouth, Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand

Postal Address: P.O. Box 676, New Plymouth

Telephone (as printed): Les – XX469

This newsletter captures a pivotal moment of internal debate about the identity, purpose, and future direction of the Taranaki gay liberation movement in 1978.

Detailed Historical Timeline (as recorded in the document)

• 13 March 1975: Formation of the first official gay group in Taranaki as Gay Liberation Front Taranaki

• Name changed to Gay Liberation Taranaki

• Peak membership recorded as well over 50 members

• Activities included: social parties, picnics, film evenings, trips, and collaboration with Lifeline

• Community education work undertaken at a low-key level due to repressive laws and social attitudes

• 24 August 1976: Group went into recess due to members leaving the area and declining support

• 14 December 1977: Formation of Gay Social Group Taranaki

• 17 May 1978: Signs of organisational decline

• 18 June 1978: Special meeting called to discuss the group’s future

• 9 August 1978: Draft constitution prepared

• 24 August 1978: Constitution debated and heavily amended

Key Constitutional & Governance Issues

• Proposal to re-adopt the name “Gay Liberation Taranaki”

• Extensive amendments to draft constitution (multiple clauses deleted or rewritten)

• Debate over whether the group should be for gay people only

• Minimum age for membership and attendance raised from 16 to 18 years

• Concerns expressed about:

  • Repressive laws

  • Criminalisation of gay relationships

  • Social stigma

  • The balance between political activism and social support

Meeting Details

Next Meeting:

• Date: 5 September 1978

• Time: 8:00pm

• Location:  St Aubyn Street, New Plymouth

Agenda Includes:

• Minutes of last meeting

• Financial report & accounts

• Correspondence

• Further discussion on constitution

• Election of officers

• General business

Note: Party planned for 2 September 1978 was cancelled.