The miles to go before I sleep...

  • Start teaching science at school and incorporate demo
  • Research, design, implement comprehensive teaching module on science, civic sense
  • Interview social change agents working @ ground level
  • Pilot peer-to-peer teaching programme

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Gay association in Chennai: A Reflection

CNN-IBN's report on Official Gay Association in Chennai is significant in two ways.

1. For the first time in India, gays have a chance step out of the closet and lead a normal life. Even possibly increase public awareness. Awareness about what?

- about the fact that being gay is not a choice, but a feature imprinted on ones self at birth, as this article in CBS might indicate. Its as plain as saying "Just like you are attracted towards girls, I am attracted towards guys".

- gays are more criminally inclined when suppressed and ill-treated and the only way to avoid this is to recognize them as normal humans.

For the records, I am not gay! To be honest, (at the expense and getting defensive, and inviting criticisms involving the word "hypocrite") if I know that somebody is gay, I WILL feel awkward and insecure. But the support for gay-rights is as much ingrained in me as the insecure feeling itself. An organization to protect a community marginalized for no conscious fault on its part has to be welcome.

2. The second significance is personal. Chennai is considered by many as a conservative, or worse, an intolerant city (primarily with the ancient anti-Hindi sentiments that filled the air in Tamil Nadu a decade or two ago). In all honesty, Chennai is conservative to a large extent. But, this news report clearly vindicates Chennai from the allegiance that it is intolerant. The limited media coverage has turned out to be fortunate and unfortunate at the same time. Fortunate, since the news has gained enough public image to really interest the self-styled guardians of Tamil Culture. Unfortunate, since if it had gained more national attention, it would have done its bit in bring Chennai's true image to light.

Those who disagree with me and quote the Kushbhoo episode and The Park episode as counter, please consider the fact that the "Dharna" against Khusbhoo was wholly by executed by a caste-based political party which linked her comments to Tamil Culture when Kushbhoo said nothing about it. The Park episode was a misadventure by a small time reporter looking for cheap media publicity and a thoughtless and panicky approach by the government to avoid another controversy. The general public did not participate in both the instances and, more importantly, there was no violence.

9 comments:

Prakash G said...

You have lot of Gay advertisements in your blog ...

Badhri said...

Well,
Google at its best!

Anonymous said...

Hi Badhri! I was looking for some information on gay rights in Chennai and googled my way to you.

Interessting views. Why feel awkward?

Badhri said...

I don't know. I guess I am not yet that progressive myself! :) Nor am I flattered at the prospect of having the wrong kind of attention.

Was wondering why you look for Gay rights in Chennai!

Anonymous said...

purnima, u better know abt sagothara which is gay organisation in chennai whose are working with lot of programes against HIV with the help of NDV, delhi... and mr badri, why ur panic at gays, as they are also a human kind like ur brothers.. is nt it? consider them and dont corner them....

baski said...

purnima, u better know abt sagothara which is gay organisation in chennai whose are working with lot of programes against HIV with the help of NDV, delhi... and mr badri, why ur panic at gays, as they are also a human kind like ur brothers.. is nt it? consider them and dont corner them....

Kev said...

Please visit Chennai Dost which creates social space for gay and bisexual in chennai

cheap viagra online said...

I, of course, a newcomer to this blog, but the author does not agree

Anonymous said...

Chennai Dost, a largest community based group for Gay, Lesbian and bisexual men in and around Chennai and South India. Our objective is to create social space for our people, sexual identity and support LGBT rights.

We have more than 3000 registered members with us. Chennai Dost is the pioneer of gay parties in Chennai. Our themed parties such as Rain party, GPL, Karumbu-Pongal, Valentine's day had large number of participants and exciting entertainment

Chennai Dost also has
Chemistry Club - LGBQ Students forum for College campuses
LBW - Lesbian & Bisexual Women Wing
Maghizvan Manram - Tamil Queer Literature Forum
Groom Wanted - A Program to help people looking for life partners

To know more details you can call our helpline at 9551630213 or pr@chennaidostl.com OR http://www.facebook.com/chennai.dost. You can also visit our website at WWW.CHENNAIDOST.COM