Chennai: It’s a movement that’s beginning to create ripples across the globe.The gay movement has also been active in India, though at a much discreet and subtle level as homosexuality as a phenomenon is frowned-upon by the Indian society.However, in a departure from the stereotypes, gays in Chennai have formed the first ever gay-club to be officially registered - definitely a bold step in a society where homosexuals are shunned and homosexuality is legally a criminal offence.The group is set up to alleviate social stigma attached to homosexuality, to help the gay community in times of injustice and to raise a voice against the unfair and ambiguous Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises homosexuality.
Chennai-based Vasu who has started the Men Community Development Society (MCDS) says he has no problems coming on camera on talking about the stigma attached to homosexuality and to share story of his friends who have had to face societal ostracisation.“I meet someone at a cruising point, and am talking to him, getting to know him. Just then a policeman comes, finds condoms in my pocket. He asks for bribe, threatens us, and slaps a case on us,” he says.Officially, MCDS is just a week old, but for the pat six years, it has been a 300-strong group of friends helping each other out in tough times. They now expect about 7,000 more people to join them in Chennai.
“Police catches gay couples for no reason and the poor guys can’t even call home. Our group will go over and release them in such times, Then, if someone is fired because of being gay, we meet the MD, and point out the legalities. Then, we counsel sex workers on STD, HIV and even rehabilitate them,” Raja, amember of MCDS says.Raja says that the group will be the support system for many homosexuals in the city.He says they’ve decided raise a collective voice against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises homosexual acts. Though Raja knows it’s a long shot, he even wishes he could get married to his partner.“It’ll be great if I can marry my partner. Even problems like HIV will go away. But even that partner should be loyal then it’ll be all great!” he says.
I don't see "acknowledging" of gays in our society as we see in west and let them in "peace". Gays are in quite big numbers so that everyone is aware that they exist, or atleast to the extent of "londay baazi". I am not sure if our gays really want to live as "gays" only, there might be few, but will the society "accept" them as gays and let them live their own life? I highly doubt. Groups like these might be some support for them but for some reason I don't see gay couples living "happily ever after" in our societies, I hope it doesn't happen :D
Good points Captain, though I konw few of my school mates who are gay, some of them are at senior positions in corporate and business.
I think its not natural but its been growing and always been there(What you call of Nawabs - We all have heard about). So may be it makes sense to give it some legitimacy.
Though this will change some things and the way we live.
I remember i wore white socks on black shoes while going for a meeting in US, and my sales guy (White guy) sent me back to hotel room to change socks...
Since white socks on black shoes in US is way to say "I am gay"........ :D
So with legitmacy such hillarious/ stupid/ odd things may come up and normal people will need to be more careful about these.
I agree that gays have existed in our societies for centuries, no denying, but to give it legitimacy is all new world. May be a secular India can give it some shelter but a so-called-religious country like Pakistan can't afford to do that just because of the repurcussions it will get, the noise that will be generated, 'targetted killings' will be on the rise as killing of a gay will be declared one way to get "sawab" from God.
Personally I don't want to see such 'protection' in our country atleast :D, I don't want to explain to my child why 'in an Islamic country' two guys are married.
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Since white socks on black shoes in US is way to say "I am gay"........ :D
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That I didn't know until now :D ... I thought it was simply against 'fashion' to wear white socks on dress pants.
The strongly patriarchal traditions of the extended family, with its arranged marriages, and a set of urban middle class values deriving from the Victorian values - prime among them that of hypocrisy of the British Raj, have resulted in almost total suppression of gay Indian men and women. The gradual acceptance of feminism in some circles has at least allowed some degree of sexual politics to be introduced, including discussion of lesbianism. In general, though, the radical left, argue Sunil Gupta and Ashish Kumar, have adopted the same homophobic perspective common to socialist policy makers in most parts of the Third World today, from Cuba to Vietnam and from Algeria to China, failing to recognise the intrinsic role of sexual politics in progressive democratic society.
There are at least 2 such clubs in the city of Mumbai and one in the city of B'lore. I had met few of the guys from one of the Mumbai club and they were a great bunch.
So, obviously this bit about first India gay club is incorrect.
I think all LGBTs should be allowed to live with dignity in this world - whether they are socially accepted or not is a slightly different matter.
Surprise / Surprise... Sir, I am assuming that you are saying so in jest not becuase you don't understand the difference... To clarify..
Chakka - Due to physical attributes, where person has features of both man and woman.
Gay - A man in physical sense, liking another man for sex rather than woman << This one is fine, reduces competition for getting a date>>
Lesbian - A woman in physical sense, liking another woman for sex rather than man << I don't like this one>>:D
Chakka - Due to physical attributes, where person has features of both man and woman.
Gay - A man in physical sense, liking another man for sex rather than woman << This one is fine, reduces competition for getting a date>>
Lesbian - A woman in physical sense, liking another woman for sex rather than man << I don't like this one>>:D
something like shemale?
…This video is hilarious..