If you'd crossed India off your worry list while celebrating last year's legal victory overturning the Colonial anti-sodomy laws in Delhi, remember that the court's ruling did not legalize homosexuality nationwide. Parvez Sharma reflects in this essay about the recent arrest of thirteen men at a private gay party in the conservative town of Saharanpur where he grew up.
"The location of the dharamshala is just two miles from my old school, where I was mercilessly bullied for being too effeminate when I was a boy.
"There are quotes from the police officer who organised the raid, in which he talks about finding "used condoms" and guests in a "compromising position". Saharanpur is described as an "ultra-conservative" town and a college teacher called Ayub Qureshi is quoted expressing his indignation: "This is certainly unheard of in Saharanpur. I don't know where are we heading to."
"Thirteen men were arrested, though according to police the party was attended by more than 100. The arrests should be condemned. These "gay" men probably have nowhere else to meet and many perhaps still live with their families, where discussing their sexuality would not be an option."
Sharma is the director of A Jihad for Love, the documentary covering his five-year journey through the Muslim world interviewing gay/bi/curious followers of Islam.
(Photo via Bilerico.)
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