Indian gays overcoming taboos

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • March 15, 2006 - 0:00

Some groups want Indian gays to be proud of their sexuality

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Just days after the gay community in Pakistan proudly raised its voice, neighbouring India also appears to be coming out of the closet.

SAPPHO, named after the legendary character of ancient Greek literature, is an Indian organisation set up to provide support for the gay community, they have revealed that an increasing number of gays and lesbians are approaching the service.

One member of the group, Malavika, told the Indian Times that one of the main issues is 'insensitive' parents, "I still remember that night in 1999 when I got a frantic call from a girl from Howrah station who asked me to immediately come to her help as she had been thrown out of her house."

The group provide workshops, counselling, healthcare, and legal aid. They are currently canvassing women's and equality groups for more support while an increasing number of public figures such as Bengali writer, Samaresh Majumder, are supporting gay rights.

Homosexuality is illegal in India and seen as blasphemy.

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