Q&A: ‘Homophobia is most archaic and regressive’

17 July 2009, 12:00am IST
SOURCE:  Times of India

Amol Palekar’s acclaimed films in Hindi, Marathi and English Daayra, Anaahat and Thaang (Quest) have focused on the stark subject of non-mainstream sexuality in India. His unconventional stance has made some viewers cringe and prompted some to ponder. He speaks to Ratnottama Sengupta :

What inspired you to make three films exploring the different definitions of sexuality?
In our society sexuality is taboo. If ever we talk about it, we avoid serious discussion on sexual orientation, preferences and choices. This closeted approach keeps us from educating ourselves or from knowing the existing reality. Ignorance, prejudices and phobias flourish then, and as film-maker i feel the need to address them. That’s how i did Daayra (1996), Anaahat (2003) and Thaang/Quest (2006). They provoked viewers to think of a transgender existence, a woman’s sexual desires or genuineness of a gay relationship. As they come out of the theatre they feel compelled to adopt the humanitarian angle. This changed perspective is a tiny ripple I triggered through my films.

How do you react to the decriminalisation of homosexuality?
The judgement in the Naz Foundation case is a path-breaking decision that all should welcome wholeheartedly. This proclamation of equality in treatment will help the marginalised sections of our society achieve freedom in various walks of life. Non-discrimination in employment, availability of home loans and healthcare insurance in same sex partnerships, changed definitions of family for adoption laws are a few instances where social and legal sanction to homosexuality will help. We are certainly marching towards more tolerant and sensitive life.

What do you say to those opposing the judgement?
The belief that non-procreative sex is a perversion and isn’t sanctioned by any religion generates bias against homosexuality. It is then considered a social sin and a criminal act. But homophobia is most archaic and regressive. There’s no scientific basis for the majority claim that same-sex relationships are ‘unnatural’. I’m all for a compassionate social mind that offers sanctity and respect to gay and lesbian bonds.

Given a choice, would you want your child to be a eunuch, or homosexual?
This question itself projects a hang-up suffered by most of us. It also equates being a eunuch or hijra with homosexuality. Eunuch by birth is a sad accident that no parent will wish for, just as no one desires a child with physical handicap. However, how we accommodate eunuchs child or adult will reflect our maturity. Many eunuchs are victims of evil social and religious practices that further perpetrate their exploitation and roles. I’ll have no problem whatsoever if my child is gay. I’ll still be a very proud father of a wonderful human being.

India’s Supreme Court accepts challenge to ruling on gay sex

By Jessica Geen • July 14, 2009 - 13:49
SOURCE:  Pinknews
India’s Supreme Court is considering whether to rule on the petition
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The Indian Supreme Court has agreed to consider a petition against a lower court’s ruling that homosexuality should be decriminalised.

Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court ruled that the colonial-era law was unconstitutional.

The petition was filed by Sushil Kumar Kaushal, described as a “Hindu astrologer”. He argued that if gay sex is legalised, “tomorrow people might seek permission for having sex with animals”.

His petition also claimed that the judgement would result in a further spread of HIV/AIDS.

Kaushal’s lawyer Pravin Agarwal cited reports of seven gay marriages having taken place in India since the ruling.

The Supreme Court responded that the ruling had not mentioned marriage and referred only to sexual acts between consenting adults.

It will decide by July 20th whether to rule on the merits of the challenge.

Days after Kaushal’s challenge, a yoga guru filed a similar challenge saying homosexuality was a “disease” and could be cured by yoga.

According to the Indian Express, Swami Baba Ramdev said: “It can be treated like any other congenital defect. Such tendencies can be treated by yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises) and other meditation techniques.”

Ramdev is an influential figure among middle-class Hindu families, who regularly watch his health programmes on television. According to previous reports, he has made various claims as to the benefits of yoga, saying it can cure diseases such as AIDS, cancer and leukemia.

SC likely to hear on Thursday a plea against allowing gay sex

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
SOURCE:  The Hindu

New Delhi (PTI) The Supreme Court is likely to hear on Thursday a petition filed by an astrologer challenging the Delhi High Court’s verdict legalising gay sex.

The petition filed by Suresh Kumar Kaushal has sought quashing of July 2 verdict of the High Court legalising gay sex between consenting adults in private, which was earlier a criminal offence punishable with upto life imprisonmnet.

Mr. Kaushal said the petition, which will come for hearing during the mentioning hour, contended that homosexual acts, by all standards, was an unnatural act and it could not be permitted.

“No one can imagine the consequences of the unnatural acts. Even animals don’t indulge in such activities,” Mr. Kaushal said in his petition.

He said the High Court judgment would result in spread of HIV virus as “it has been amply proved that the HIV virus is a result of unnatural sex.”

“We have to look at our own scriptures to seek guidance from them and it is against such behaviour in our society,” he said.

“If such abnormality is permitted, then tomorrow people might seek permission for having sex with animals,” he said.

The High Court, in a landmark verdict, legalised gay sex among consenting adults.

CNN-IBN debate: Homosexuality vs Indian morality

SOURCE:  CNN-IBN

The Delhi High Court has reinterpreted a 149-year old colonial law and held that a homosexual in India is no longer a criminal. In a historic judgement the court held that “Section 377 of the Indian penal Code insofar as it criminalises consensual sexual acts of adults in private violates personal freedom and liberty.
So does the attaining of legal sexual freedom by homosexuals mark progress and social reform in India, or is the court upholding values that the majority of Indians simply do not identify with?
CNN-IBN debates on issue on a special show Gay and Indian with renowned Indo-Canadian photographer, HIV positive and gay, Sunil Gupta, gay rights activist and lawyer Aditya Bandhopadhyay, actor Samir Soni, Editor, Manushi Madhu Kishwar, Delhi Catholic Archdiocese spokesperson Dominic Emmanuel and All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Kamal Farooqui.

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Gay community gives green signal to Congress

Lok Sabha elections 2009    IANS
Gay community gives green signal to Congress
2009-04-28 09:45:22

SOURCE:  Sify News
New Delhi: The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community, which has been opposing ‘discriminatory’ laws against them, has hardly got support from any political party. Nevertheless, most of the community members have decided to cast their vote for the Congress since they feel it is ‘relatively’ more tolerant than the others.

According to officials of UNAIDS, there is no official data on the population of the gay community in India. In fact, collection of such data is illegal under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Gay rights activists, however, put a rough estimate - and this includes only those who have come out admitting their alternate sexuality - at more than five percent of the Indian population.

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