Gay In India

The British have a lot to apologise for, at least in terms of legislating against homosexuality in their former colonies. Unfortunately, the more prudish nature of places like Singapore and India mean that the laws, enshrined in the Victorian age, are not likely to be revoked any time soon.

The Economist has an interesting article on India's first ever gay Pride. It is easy to scoff at the "hot pink saris" but the cross-dressing hijras are at least fighting the good fight! I'm glad I live in London rather than in India, but it is something to think about as we celebrate Pride this weekend.

Despite a burgeoning gay scene in India’s big cities, many Indian homosexuals worry more about exposure to their families and colleagues than about the law. “My brother knows; my mother doesn’t,” says Pankash, a 23-year-old year-old student who likes to be known as Tina when he goes on dates dressed as his glamorous alter ego. Though he was not incognito on Sunday, many of his fellow paraders were. Waving placards with slogans such as “Gay and loving it”, many still wore paper masks, lest they were “outed” on television.