Questions and Answers

One of the readers of this blog sent me an email asking a few questions . I thought that the answers to these questions would be of general interest. Here they are :-

(Note :- Some of these questions have complex answers , and thus brevity might render the answer incomplete . But these answers are brief due to time constraints.. I can further elucidate if readers find them of interest .)


Q.What I really wanted to get a handle on was how the indian gay scene has developed over the last, say, five years and what role has the internet played?

Ans.

Over the last five years its become easier to access gay networks via the internet. The internet makes anonymity and access to sex easier. But I don’t think it leads to any change in mindset. What we now have is a high technology closet.

There are nightclubs which have gay events, the authorities are persuaded to look the other way. Means of persuasion might include financial incentives to the enforcing authority.

A lot of people now know what homosexuality , in terms of sexual attraction to other men is. This again , does not mean that people are tolerant or accepting of it.

The media , restricted to English channels only and the print media ( again English) do highlight homosexuality from time to time.The vernacular channels usually adopt in unison, thunderous silence on all such sensitive issues.



Question
I know that 377 makes gay sex illegal. How is it enforced? Is it enforced?


Ans.
Sec 377 is like a Damocles sword over the heads of the homosexual populace.It is enforced from time to time but not on a systematic nationwide basis at one single time.
It’s a very useful tool to extort bribes from gays, especially those who fall into the custody of the law and are found to be homosexuals. Unless Section 377 goes,one cannot even begin an improvement vis-à-vis today’s realities


Question
How constrained do you feel in your everyday life?

Ans.
I feel constrained in every department of life as I am gay



Question
Do you think things have changed dramatically recently?
Ans.
No, it unfortunately hasn’t


Question
For instance there have been gay pride marches now in 5 (?) cities.


Ans.
Yes there were , and many people attended them masked Doesn’t that say it all ?


Question
How public can you be? What was the reaction of yor parents and what is the reaction of your friends parents when they come out to them?

Ans.

Most gays ( I would say 95 % ) are not public about being gays .

My parents don’t know I am gay. My friends , well in some cases their parents do know about their being homosexuals. Most parents are not exactly overjoyed. Reasons are many and varied but culture , religion and not being “normal” are the most common reasons.

Most gays I know are not out to their parents or other family members


Question
What role does religion and culture play?

Ans.

This is very complicated . In a nutshell , the role played by both is very negative



Question
What is the position of 'third sex' / transsexuals in the dominant culture and in gay culture?

Ans.

Social outcastes , who are tolerated on the fringes of a brutal society.its a terrible life –with many working as prostitutes .

In the gay culture , they are avoided by most “straight acting” gays who wouldn’t like to be caught dead in their company.

One of the choice hindi expletives used for gays is the word used in Hindi for is the synonym of the Hindi word for the “third sex” .. Is any further comment necessary?



Question
I read that the guy who represented India in The Mr International Gay sought asylum in USA. Does that tell us something about how difficult life is for gay people in India now?

Ans.

It is excruciatingly difficult of course …….

I have no idea about the reasons for the guy representing India seeking asylum in the USA