24 September 1999

Rosemary Francis
Spokesperson for Social Services

WELLINGTON WOOS HIV EPIDEMIC

“What sick irony! The very day that Wellington City Council proudly announces securing the Gay Tourism Convention, doctors in the capital are reported as being alarmed at the surge in sexual diseases in the region,” said Mrs Rosemary Francis, a spokesperson for the Christian Heritage Party.

“While the Deputy Mayor expresses her delight at the expected boost to tourism, and rationalises the $7,000 ‘cheeky welcome’ the Council has given to support homosexual travel agents gathering in Wellington, the city will suffer from potential high risk tourism,” said Mrs Francis. “What an insult to morally upright citizens that their rates are paying for this junket.”

The Wellington Independent Practice Association has reported a 400% rise in HIV cases in the past six months, and a 50% rise in gonorrhoea. Other sexually transmitted diseases have also shown dramatic rises in the last year.

Dr Margaret Sparrow, sexual health physician, has expressed concern at the situation, and says the rapid rise in HIV cases was ‘difficult to understand’.

The Christian Heritage Party understands! They also have a practical answer to the problem. It costs nothing more than self control and respect of others.

“The potential HIV epidemic is largely caused by promiscuity and perverted sexual practices,” said Mrs Francis. “We guarantee that a return to traditional family values will wipe out this curse from our nation.”

The Christian Heritage Party believes that the traditional family, consisting of one man married to one woman, and their children, provide the basis for a healthy and happy society. We are concerned about the growth of activities which damage family life. We oppose granting legal status to same-sex marriages, the adoption of children into such relationships, and the use of in vitro fertilisation by such couples.”

Christian Heritage would also press for restrictions on the promotion or advertising of pornography, prostitution and homosexuality,” she added.

“If the medical fraternity of Wellington is really concerned about the HIV epidemic, they should be criticising their local Council for promoting and encouraging increased tourism by homosexual travel organisers. Their clients, coming to our country for holiday experiences, are bound to leave behind more than their tourist dollars. There will be a lot of locals exposed to the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

“Chastity before marriage, and faithfulness within marriage is the only way to reduce our HIV explosion,” said Mrs Francis.

ENDS

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