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Queer Oz Folk: Police Go Gay |
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Written by Graham Willett
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Tuesday, 23 June 2009 17:31 |
In 1980 Victoria decriminalised sex between men, overturning laws that went back to King Henry VIII. Oddly enough, it was the Victorian police force that helped kick-start the final stage of the struggle for reform.
In November and December 1976 the phone services operated by Gay Liberation and Society Five noticed a sharp increase in callers asking for legal advice by men arrested on the beats. Inquiries through the scene revealed that police had been active at three or four city and suburban beats, and especially at Black Rock beach. Activists called a public meeting to talk about what to do. Society Five representatives were especially keen to act, suggesting a formal complaint to the police commissioner, a leaflet directed at beat users, and approaches to the press.
This last at least produced results. On 18 December, Truth reported the events – in its usual sensational style – and a month later the mainstream press were onto the issue. The Age reported that police had opted to “go gay to lure homosexuals”. In the report, senior local police gleefully revealed that officers had been lurking nearby, observing gay men on the beaches and in the tea-tree, teaching themselves to imitate the mannerisms, especially the “particular walk” by which gay men identified each other. Some of the more attractive officers were then despatched in plain clothes to put this knowledge to work. Within a few days, 68 men had been arrested for soliciting with homosexual intent. Where necessary, it was alleged, police used threats of imprisonment and negative publicity to extract confessions.
Newspaper reports brought all of this to wide public attention and, although there was a sudden, if not very convincing, rush of denials by police that entrapment methods or undue pressure had been used, the debate was off and running. Politicians, community groups and gay organisations expressed outrage. Lawyers offered support. Letters of protest were written and published – including one offering sarcastic applause for the preparedness of police to ‘fight on the beaches’ at all hours of the day and night, to prevent the end of civilisation.
Amidst the storm of protest and debate widespread support for decriminalisation was revealed. As early as 14 January the state ALP leader was calling for decriminalisation. A week later, the Young Liberals wrote to all Liberal members of parliament urging them to support reform. On 20 February, at the urging of the Premier, among others, Liberal Party MPs authorised the preparation of a bill for the autumn session.
It would be a year or two before the inquiries and groundwork and investigations produced a bill that went through parliament, but when it did, Black Rock’s pretty policemen’s place in history was assured.
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Queer Oz Folk: Police Go Gay
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