Gay Pride march in New DelhiIndian courts strike down a law that criminalized same sexuality. The law was a creation of the British Raj from over a century ago. As usual, the churches and the mosques joined forces to oppose the ruling. Nothing brings the mullahs and the preachers together like the sight of men kissing. Toujoursdan comments extensively on the Indian churches trying to put the brakes on this little lurch forward for human rights.
Life is not likely to change much for India's LGBT population, which faces severe public hostility and persecution. Sex of all kinds is a taboo subject in India that is rarely publicly discussed.
I find it amazing that the same culture that gave the world the Kama Sutra, the flamboyantly erotic sculptures on the temples at Khajurao, and all those sexy Hindu gods should now be one of the world's most prudishly repressive societies. Perhaps that's the legacy of Muslim conquest and British colonialism together with the needs of international market capitalism.
A long history of violent religious conflict doesn't create conditions for sexual freedom or any other kind of liberty either.
And yet it is a big step forward for millions!
ReplyDeleteIt's a step forward. Maybe the bigotry will diminish, but it won't be quick.
ReplyDeleteNever is...
ReplyDelete