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Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Married in Public GAY in Private ?
In a very forgettable instance, I remember a young man planning to marry a woman knowing full well that he would not meet his conjugal obligations. The idea behind the marriage was to grab an apartment offered by his employer at a throwaway prize for only their married employees. The plan was to divorce the hapless woman after a year and get in his gay lover to live-in an ever-so-happy pink future. When I pointed out that a divorce might mean the wife getting the apartment besodes alimony payments, he asked me about pre-nuptial contracts. When I said they were illegal everywhere in the Union of India except in Goa, he huffed out of the office and never returned, till eight years after he walked in a bitter man very sick with AIDS related complications.
The sad stories are still continuing and seem to provide an endless drama of sorrow and tragedy. My community based group, the Humsafar Trust, does what are called "tracking interventions" every 18 months. These are structured questionnaires which are answered by random men in sex sites through what are called "time-location- clustering", a social marketing techniques to get some credible information about any population.
What came about was startling. Around 50 to 55 per cent of men-who-had-sex-with-men (MSM) were mostly also having sex with women, Of these around 25 to 30 per cent were heterosexually married to women. Besides, all these bisexual men were having two female partners on an average every month and on an average these men were also having sex with between 5 and 7 male partners a month. In other words, there was a huge bridge MSM population that was having sex with both men and women.
Now just suppose that the HIV or STI prevalence among exclusive gay men was a high 20 per cent. This "high pressure zone" was the tank from which HIV and STIs "flowed across the bridge of bisexual men into the female population. That being the case, the government's HIV prevention programs had to be made more integrated by asking MSM to use condoms with both men and women. Besides, the female partners, the wives of MSM also had to be treated for STIs to prevent what was called "the ping pong effect".
In this, if the man alone went for treatment without getting his wife also treated, she might re-infect him even if he did not have sex outside marriage with men or women. The NACO's programs in Phase III of the National AIDS Control Program (NACP III) finally got on board the wives and female partners of MSM. However, it is the social implications of gay men married to women that will become more obvious as the days go by.
Men get married not only to reproduce and have stable social relationships but also for inheritance and familial stability. I many joint and extended families, young men do not get powers of attorneys in family business' till they are married and become "responsible house-holders". The imperative to marry is sometimes greater on men than women despite the fact that a single woman is more stigmatized than a bachelor.
However, as Section 377 is read down and society "unravels" into liberal globalised economies, things will rapidly change. It is not un-common to see parents now groping with young men who bring him their foreign male spouses to introduce them to parents. Also men living as "single" gay men in other cities cities also feel they have more space to have relations with both sexes without being hauled over to be forced into "arranged marriages".
Whatever it may be, the future will be fraught with a lot more social heartbreak, need or counseling and "upstream marriage services" before the dust settles after the re-interpretation of Section 377. The main goal though should be a mentally and physically healthier society, never mind the ranting and raving of the loony Right wing forces..
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Section 377: Cabinet to take final call on govt stand
Section 377: Cabinet to take final call on govt stand
NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet will take a final call on decriminalising homosexuality as a ministerial panel set up to formulate the government’s response to Delhi high court legalising gay sex decided to put the matter before it as early as possible.
Sources said the law ministry would prepare a detailed note — explaining the HC ruling — for the Cabinet which will decide the government stand when the matter comes up before the Supreme Court on September 14. The three-member panel of law minister Veerappa Moily, home minister P Chidambaram and health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad met on Tuesday and “critically analysed” the pros and cons of the HC judgment.
“We have analysed the judgment with full objectivity — what the judgment had said and what it had not said. Section 377 was not sought to be abrogated. Section 377 remains. The only question is decriminalisation of private consensual sex between two adults,” Moily told reporters after the meeting.
He said the ministers were of the opinion that the matter would have to be presented before the Union Cabinet.
The SC, while hearing a PIL on the matter, had asked the government to present its stand on the issue and posted the matter for September 14. “So, having analysed the judgment, we are placing it before the Cabinet and will ask the Cabinet to take a decision,” Chidambaram said.
He said the HC had read down Section 377 in a manner that it was consistent with Article 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution. Chidambaram said there was a lot of misinformation about what the HC judgment had held. “One example is that the judgment has struck down Section 377, that is not correct,” he said. This was the second meeting of the three ministers, Moily said, adding, “We have not given any value judgment on the ruling.”
Law secretary T K Vishwanath briefed the ministers on the issue in the meeting.
The SC had on July 20 declined to pass an interim order to stay the HC verdict. The apex court said it would wait for the government to come out with a definite stand on the issue.
Gay law: Govt can't take decision in a hurry, says Moily
Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment of either description for term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation. -Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, sec.117. and sch., for "transportation for life" (w.e.f. 1-1-1956).
Gay law: Govt can't take decision in a hurry, says Moily
Hyderabad, India: June 29, 2009 - Government will not take a decision in a hurry to repeal the controversial Section 377 of IPC which criminalises homosexuality, Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily said on Monday following concerns voiced by some Christian and Muslim religious groups against the step.
The Government cannot take a decision in a hurry. We need to apply our mind," he told reporters here adding "we are examining it."
The Minister had stated in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday that a decision on the issue would be taken only after considering concerns of all sections of society, including religious groups.
A meeting of the Union Home, Health and Law Ministers is expected be held to have a re-look at Section 377 of IPC that prohibits sex between people of the same gender.
Asked whether Government was backtracking after favouring repeal of the law, Moily said his earlier remarks had been "misinterpreted".
The minister said he had stated that re-think is needed on many sections of the IPC. Specifically asked about Sec.377 of the IPC, the Minister said his response had been "we are examining".
Some Christian and Muslim leaders have opposed scrapping of the law.
Islam’s stand on gay sex conveyed to Centre: AIMPLB chief Maulana Rabe
Bhopal: The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, (AIMPLB), is in touch with the Union Government over the issue of legalizing gay sex after the Delhi High Court's verdict decriminalising homosexual acts among consenting adults.
AIMPLB president Syed Mohammad Rabe Hasani Nadvi, who was here to condole the death of Bhopal-based eminent Islamic scholar Maulana Habib Rehan Nadvi Azhari, talking to this correspondent said the Board has conveyed to the Centre the Islamic point of view about gay sex and damaging consequences it will have on Indian society. The innocent Indian society should not be allowed to ape the western culture blindly, he opined.
Indians are God fearing people and the "homosexual acts are irreligious and unnatural. Decriminalising these would be a slap on the face of Indian society", he remarked.
Dead Sea can help Govt. take a wise decision on Gay Sex: 82 kilometers in length and 18 kilometers wide Dead Sea is thousands of foot deep and exists 1300 foot below the sea level in between Palestine and Jordan. Due to the salt ratio which is 8 times more than the other oceans in the world, the density of water in Dead Sea is enormously.....Read Full
Gay Sex: SC refuses to stay HC Verdict, issues notice to Centre
Gay rights activism and health care issues
Supreme Court asks Centre to file its opinion on homosexual offence, in eight weeks
Gay ruling unites diverse religious leaders
Armed forces say no to homosexuality
SC notice to Centre on Delhi HC verdict on gay sex
Religious leaders criticise ruling on gay sex
Delhi High Court legalises gay sex
When asked if AIMPLB would intervene in the case which is with the Supreme Court and become party to it, he said "No", but added, "We have explained to the Union Government the ill effects on society which would follow after the homosexual behaviour of consensual adults is decriminalised, which is a crime under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, (IPC).
Maulana Rabe hoped that good counsel would prevail and the UPA Government would not waver over the issue. It should stand firm and oppose tooth and nail the move of decriminalising the homosexual acts under 377 IPC, he said.
"Homosexuality was never accepted in the human history as it was "thought of as an extremely evil and criminal act", he asserted.
Maulana Rabe said the Government should take into account of the historical facts as stated in the Holy Quran about the Dead Sea that exists in Jordan since last thousands of years as a lesson for those who indulge in gay sex.
Meanwhile, he termed the proposed "Bhojan Mantra" to be recited by children before mid-day meals in schools as proposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled Madhya Pradesh Government as against secular values. The Indian Constitution does not approve such gimmicks as practiced by the state governments, he added.
Pervez Bari is a Bhopal based journalist. He can be contacted at pervezbari@eth.net
Dead Sea: A Living Lesson for Homosexuals
82 kilometers in length and 18 kilometers wide Dead Sea is thousands of foot deep and exists 1300 foot below the sea level in between Palestine and Jordan. Due to the salt ratio which is 8 times more than the other oceans in the world, the density of water in Dead Sea is enormously high. So much so that a person floats on the surface and is not drowned in it.
Around four thousand years from now Prophet Looth - nephew of the Biblical Prophet Abraham was sent by the Almighty Allah as His Messenger to Sodom, a town 55 kilometers to Amman, the capital of Jordan in the Middle East. Quran has described the historical accounts of Prophet Looth and his folks in Surah Al-Ankaboot and Surah Hud with much details. People of Sodom indulged in homosexuality, a habit unheard of till then. Quran describes their unnatural act in these words:
“And recall Looth who said to his folks, you commit the lewdness such as no creature did before you.”
(Surah Al-Ankaboot, Ayah 28)
Prophet Looth tried hard so as to refrain them from indulging in homosexuality. However they declined to fall in line. Their insistence on lewdness invited the wrath of the Almighty Allah. Quran says:
“We are about to bring down upon folks of this township a fury from the sky because they are evil-livers.”
(Surah Al-Ankaboot, Ayah 34)
Before finally destroying the people of Sodom, Allah sent three Angels in the town, who were in juvenile human form. They knocked at Prophet Looth as guests. Prophet Looth, aware of the habit his folks were involved in, was distressed and helplessly tried to find ways to protect them. Quran describes the incidence as this:
“And his people came unto him, running towards him – and before then they used to commit abominations. He said: O my people! Here are my (native) daughters! They are purer for you. Beware of Allah and degrade me not in (the presence of) my guests. Is there not among you any upright man?”
(Surah Hud, Ayah 78)
At this point the Angels disclosed to Prophet Looth that they were actually Angels of Allah and had been descended to destroy the town. They advised Prophet Looth to leave the town with his companions. Once the believers abandoned the town, the Angels destroyed the whole town. Describing the incident Quran says:
“So when Our commandment came to pass, We overthrew (that township) and rained upon it stones of clay, one after another.”
(Surah Hud, Ayah 82)
The idea that homosexual intercourse was involved as at least a part of the evil of Sodom arises from the story in Genesis 19. It notes:
Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom - both young and old - surrounded the house. They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."
Moreover, under Hebrew references Wikipedia notes, many times in the Pentateuch and Prophets, writers use God's destruction of Sodom to demonstrate His awesome power.
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me.
(Ezekiel 16.49-50)
The New Testament like the Old Testament also references Sodom as a place of God's anger against sin.
And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He [God] has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.
(Jude 1:7, New American Standard Version)
Interestingly English word 'Sodomy', commonly used for homosexuality is derived from Sodom, the name of the town where Prophet Looth was sent as the Messenger. Describing Sodomy, Wikipedia notes, it is a term used today predominantly in law (derived from traditional Christian usage) to describe the act of anal intercourse, oral intercourse, or bestiality.
Majority of narrators believe that Dead Sea is exactly the place and the town that was earlier known as Sodom where Prophet Looth had been sent as the Messenger thousands of years before. After describing the accounts of Prophet Looth and his unfortunate folks, Allah concludes the whole incidence terming it a lesson for the mankind.
“And verily of that We have left a clear sign for people who have sense.”
(Surah Al-Ankaboot, Ayah 35)
We believe the Indian Government is neither senseless nor would be willing to invite the wrath of The Almighty and The All Powerful.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Legalising gay sex will destroy social fabric: Dr Manzoor Alam
Legalising gay sex will destroy social fabric: Dr Manzoor Alam
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court verdict legalising gay sex will open the floodgates of immorality in the country. This will not only destroy human values and sacred family relations it will also destablise the social fabric and family structure, said Dr Manzoor Alam, Chairman, Institute of Objective Studies, opening a seminar on the issue at India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi today.
“The Delhi High Court verdict reflects the sentiments of a minuscule minority while the voice of 99.9% of Indian population was ignored,” said Dr Alam at the seminar organized by Institute of Objective Studies on The Delhi High Court Judgement: Section 377 IPC and its Consequences.The verdict scrapping the Section 377 of IPC which had till then held as criminal act sexual intercourse against the order of nature has infact brought to fore several clashes and conflicts that are serious in nature and confronting the country, he said.
The verdict manifests clashes between various groups and values: elit vs non-elite, rich vs poor, saner vs non-saner, creating national leadership of India vs following leadership of others, dignity of mankind vs indignity of mankind, and natural vs unnatural.
While Section 377 was hardly ever used to criminalize private sexual acts though unnatural, yet it was decriminalized for some great purpose -- to destablise the morality of the country, to turn it into a sex industry, said Dr Alam.
Blasting the argument that Section 377 was brought by the Britishers about a150 years ago, and thus it should have been changed as it was too old, Dr Alam asked: if the sacred relations between son and father, mother and daughter and brother and sister which have been practiced since time immemorial should also be changed.
Delivering keynote address Purshottanam Mulloli, General Convenor, Joint Action Committee, Kannur, lambasted Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily for allegedly influency the courts.
“Moily’s statement praising Delhi High Court order two days ago while the case is pending in the Supreme Court is highly objectionable,” Dr Mulloli said adding that the statement amounts to influence the court.
Mr Moily had did the same 10 days before the Delhi High Court order when he he said he will do something in this regard and that legalization of gay sex will be important to protect one from HIV/AIDS.
While lamenting the media for glorifying the gay sex and insulting religious leaders for their opposition of the issue, Dr Mulloli stressed the need for religious people to come to street against the verdict.
We need seperate shariyat courts
Whatever the judgements given by learned Judges of Courts in many matters they are not applicable in Islamic principles , So We need Shariat Courts with the help of government in each District of INDIA like Britain and other countries
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2957428/Sharia-law-courts-operati...
Sunday, August 2, 2009
VOTE now NOT legalizing GAYsex in INDIA
Early registration for the 2009 Anti-Heterosexism Conference begins August 20, 2009. Workshop proposals are being accepted until August 29 and potential presenters can apply by going to
http://www.soulforc e.org/anti- heterosexism and downloading the PDF application form share;