Taranaki Gay Society Newsletter No. 3 – November 1978
Organisation: Taranaki Gay Society
Date: 17 November 1978
Location: New Plymouth, Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand
This newsletter captures a really honest moment in the life of the Taranaki Gay Society in late 1978 — showing both the challenges of sustaining a volunteer-led queer organisation and the determination to keep going.
Key details from the newsletter:
❗ Meeting struggles:The previous business meeting could not proceed due to lack of quorum, and attendance at a follow-up special meeting was also poor. This highlights the fragility of early LGBTQ+ organising in regional New Zealand.
🎄 1978 Xmas Party planning:A Christmas party was organised and invitations were to be sent to North Island groups, showing regional networking and community-building beyond Taranaki.
Cost: $3 per person
Supper provided
BYO drinks
Map attached for directions
🪧 Gay rights activism:Members were actively:
Putting up posters on gay rights around the city
Handing out leaflets
Issuing press statements to the mediaThis documents visible, public-facing activism in New Plymouth in 1978.
🌱 Hope for 1979:Despite a difficult year, the newsletter expresses optimism that 1979 will be a stronger year, showing resilience within the community.
📍 Last meeting of 1978:
Date: 28 November 1978
Location: St Aubyn Street, New Plymouth
Time: 8:00pm
Noted as the final meeting of the year
🗣️ Direct call to members:The line “Without your support this group cannot continue” is powerful — a rare, candid record of how dependent early queer organisations were on collective participation.
