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Sexual Preferences Create a Stir in India

By Shobha Shukla (CNS)  

Kudos to the nineteen parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, who recently came together in the Supreme Court to stop the State from criminalising homosexuality.

They have joined hands to fight in courts a "sustained attack" by organisations and private persons who insist that their children's sexuality, if not criminalised, would destroy "family values."

This is a laudable expression of parents' solidarity with their children's cause and would go a long way in lifting the veil of unnatural secrecy from habitual human perceptions of gender and sexuality. In fact, there is a denial on the part of many that homosexuality even exists. And even where there is a tacit acceptance, it is viewed as a problem.

According to Sister Marian Moriarty IBVM, the present Superior General of the Loreto Order of nuns, there should be no discrimination on the basis of one's sexual orientations. These words, coming from a devoted Catholic, are indeed encouraging. It would help in removing the misconception that religion does not favour homosexuality. Sister Marian rightly believes that we need to see sexual orientation as a gift and not as a threat. She feels the need of open and honest discussions with parents, teachers and students to break the taboo and remove the social stigma branded by the moralists.

I salute two wonderful films of Indian cinema which touched the conscience of the common viewer out of its deep-rooted archaic moral values. The movies are "Phir Milenge" and "My Brother Nikhil." The former deals with ignorance and discrimination in the workplace and the use of the courts to correct the wrongs committed against those living with HIV. The latter shows that gays are normal human beings who also deserve a place in society like anyone else. Both movies send out powerful messages that if attitudes toward HIV or homosexuality are to change, the change has to come from within families.

Discrimination and stigma base on tradition, religion and culture continues to plague the lives of LGBTs (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender. It denies them the basic human rights to live with dignity and equality. Depression, harassment, relationship problems, loneliness, and social isolation, are among the few pressing mental health concerns that torment them.

Shivananda Khan Chief Executive Naz Foundation International advocates, formulated a strategy to reduce this malaise of the different sexuality of people. The first level involves policy decisions which enable governments to repeal, amend and enact new laws which would create a conducive and enabling environment.

At the second level it should be ensured that decision makers are educated to the different issues. This would help in implementing the policies in a better manner.

At the third level are the parents, siblings, teachers, and religious leaders who need to treat them at par with other so called normal citizens. People will have to recognize that inclusiveness should be the guiding principle of a prosperous society.

It is heartening to see that people nowadays from various strata of society are coming out of their closets and are joining hands to work for a better and just society. Unless we bring the LBGTs into the mainstream society, let them breathe freely and treat them with dignity, we cannot boast to be a free country.

Let our sexual identity/preferences not become the sole criterion of judging our worth as a human being. Deviations from preset norms should not form the basis of ostracism. Discrimination is the anti-thesis of equality, and it is the duty of all right minded citizens to drive away discriminatory practices from all walks of life. (CNS)