Until the 1970s, homosexuality was considered sinful, sick and immoral. It was also a crime, specified in the Crimes Act (and would remain so for some time). Male homosexual acts were punishable by imprisonment for up to five years. Lesbian sex was unspeakable. It was not socially acceptable to be gay, lesbian or “camp”. So lesbians and gays led an undercover social life. Many were in heterosexual marriages.