For gays in India, fear is way of life

Posted on November 24, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized

BANGALORE, India – Even with the white horse rented, his gold-speckled turban fitted, and the wedding hall lined up, Mahesh did not feel ready to get married, at least not to a woman.

The shy computer engineer is gay.

But Mahesh went ahead with the elaborate ceremony in May because someone he had befriended online blackmailed him – threatening to tell his parents unless he paid $5,500.

Severely depressed and suffering from insomnia, Mahesh recently swallowed a dozen painkillers. He survived. But his blackmailer heard he was in the hospital and demanded more cash to keep his secret.

Three months later, Mahesh said he is broke and taking several antidepressants. He is still married.

“I really don’t want to die. But I also don’t want to keep lying,” said the 24-year-old, who spoke from a counseling center and asked to be called by his first name. “I feel so trapped. According to the law, my blackmailer can report me and have me arrested.”

That’s because in the world’s biggest democracy, homosexuality is illegal.

The Indian penal code describes the act as “against the order of nature” and declares it punishable by 10 years to life in prison, longer than most rape or murder sentences.

But several human rights groups are making a historic challenge to the law, imposed by the British in 1860, in the New Delhi High Court. The effort to repeal the law is seen as a test case of India’s commitment to secular democracy, with some legal specialists saying that moral or religious arguments cannot trump constitutional rights in a democratic society. A verdict is expected before the end of the year.

The challenge comes during a time of sweeping social changes for India’s younger generation. Three-quarters of the country’s 1.1 billion people are younger than 35, and more of them are living away from home and working for multinational companies, which often have policies that protect employees from discrimination based on their sexual preferences.

Many young gay men and lesbians say they find slightly more acceptance working in the international call center and information technology industries. They also take heart from the broader trend among young Indians of favoring so-called love marriages over arranged partnerships.

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Boston Globe, United States