Bi today, gay tomorrow? The Times of India wonders

By Katherine Knowles • July 6, 2006 - 0:00

Bi to gay in the wink of an eye? (photo: raminber p.s.)

1 Comment on Bi today, gay tomorrow? The Times of India wonders

The Times of India has published an extraordinary story today, about the benefits of bisexuality.

"A few years ago, Angelina Jolie famously said she enjoyed spending time with her female lovers. Though no such high-profile entity has advocated the cause of bisexuality in India, it is a phenomenon that is being talked about," claims the paper.

"Being bisexual is no longer the exclusive domain of 'an' actor or 'a' director. It could be your neighbour, your best pal's girlfriend, or your favourite youth icon."

In an extraordinarily inclusive article, the paper goes on to suggest that its readers might consider bisexuality as a "stepping stone" to "jumping full on into gayness."

It suggests that social factors contribute to the popularity of bisexuality over homosexuality, noting; "In India, a sub-conscious need to emulate the herd leads to gays experimenting with marriage, and therefore bisexuality. More importantly, it helps them stay on the right side of the law with Section 377 of the IPC criminalizing same-sex relationships.

"Religious ideas linked to procreation and the need to find an issue to perform the last rites also lead many men into tying the knot, when they would rather be with other men", the paper laments.

"But can bisexuality truly be a natural human behaviour?" it wonders with some incredulity. Surely it's just a "bi today, gay tomorrow" lead into homosexuality? Can a

"bed-hopping urban bisexual" have a gay relationship and a straight one that is not just a "security blanket"?

Pity then the poor forty year old women featured in the Indian Times article. Her husband left her for a man after five years of marriage, during which time she had not suspected that he was leading a bisexual existence.

Her councillor told her "99% of men are homosexual and they only marry to have children."

The paper does not attempt to contradict this incredible statistic, but archly notes "in India, the chances of a person being confused about his or her sexuality are particularly high.

"One is expected to be normal, which is a description of heterosexuality."

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