After a long time, I read an article which is delightfully complex and touches on the myriad of issues which shape the attitudes of Indians towards homosexuality.
The article makes an interesting declaration/acceptance of Indians' discomfort with their heterosexuality. It goes on to explore the link between sexism and homophobia. We are so entrenched in gender roles that often we actually start believing them as being essential to our existence. A simple example: even educated people would often think that the husband should earn more than the wife. When I came out as gay, the problem I faced from some friends was not about my sexuality but more about my gender expression, that I could be as gay as I want but I should walk in a certain way or not have the limp wrist :).
Another important point , also raised in the article, is that the gay rights movement in India has to stop hiding under the banner of AIDS! For though AIDS is one of the issues of serious concerns to the gay population, the make the two synonymous could lead to misconception in the minds of many that homosexuality and AIDS are inherently related. We need to fight for civil rights, and we need to do so by the right means, by the right names, and with the right alliances.
Recently BBC had another article which talked of social reform in India and had a section on homosexuality and Article 377 (the section of the Indian Penal Code which criminalizes homosexual acts and could even lead to 10 years in prison!) . Some critics of the article said that India has much larger issues: poverty, population, education and such like. Why bring up homosexuality -- that is not high on the list of social reform. Indeed if homosexuality is so insignificant, then why does the government waste its precious time trying to weigh down on the courts with its "moralistic stands" on the issue? Should not the government then spend every minute on the eradicating poverty? Read also my friend's views on this topic.
Indeed as one person commented on BBC, Article 377 should be repealed, not because homosexuality is becoming a trend, not because there are other nations in the world which are legalizing homosexuality, but because tolerance towards sexual minorities is an ancient Indian tradition.
Yahoo! for Good - Make a difference this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment