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Being gay in traditional Indian society
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The homosexual community may be increasingly gaining acceptance in many circles in India today but the government's argument is that homosexuality cannot be decriminalised.
As both sides fight it out in court, hundreds are struggling to come to terms with their sexuality. (Watch)
According to a study, conducted for the period from 2001 to 2006, an estimated 45 gay couples killed themselves across India; among them is the suicide by a gay teenager in Mumbai recently.
Memories come flooding back for 29-year-old Harish Iyer, as he reads an Internet report of a gay teenager who committed suicide.
Around 12 years ago, Harish tried to kill himself three times after a slander campaign in his college. Harish's friend spread rumours that he was gay.
"There was graffiti in my college washroom saying, "for sex call Harish". It was worse at that time because I didn't know I was gay. There was graffiti all over college walls and when I would enter the class all my friends would stand up and laugh," said Harish Iyer, event manager.
Today, Harish is openly gay. But what he went through over 10 years ago, is still a reality for the gay community.
They remain largely invisible and marginalised.
For a young gay teenager, the isolation can be even more acute. All he sees around him are traditional male-female relationships.
"The main problem is social bias. Most people just cannot accept that some people can be wired differently. They think it is a disease," said Antonio Rodericks, Samaritans Helpline.
Attitudes that activists say will change only if the law accepts homosexuality as a valid way of life. Currently under section 377, homosexuality is a criminal offence, which means the gay community remains vulnerable to harassment.
"The law is a big threat. We feel scared we will be punished, jailed just for being gay," Nitin Karani, Trustee, Humsafar.
Social acceptance of homosexuality may still take a while. A change in law could be a step in that direction.
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