Activist and noted bachelor Harish Iyer isn’t getting any younger, as his mother Padma will tell him and anyone who will listen, apparently. In India, where homosexuality was re-criminalized in 2013, Padma placed the nation’s first same-sex personal ad for her seasonally single son:
Seeking 25-40, well-placed, animal-loving, vegetarian GROOM for my SON (36, 5’11”), who works with an NGO, Caste No Bar (though IYER preferred)
“I’m proud of her. It was her idea,” Iyer told The Guardian. “My mum was like: ‘You don’t have a boyfriend, you’re not so young.’ She was concerned for her aging son like any Indian mum would be, irrespective of whether he is homosexual or heterosexual.”
According to Iyer, three major newspapers refused to carry the ad because it was illegal, but Sachin Kalbag, the executive editor of the Mumbai daily Mid-Day, never hesitated to publish it.
“It raised no eyebrows at all,” Kalbag said. “We are pro-equal rights and have been running vociferous campaigns against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.”
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The 2013 ruling by India’s Supreme Court reversed a 2009 decision that had lifted the ban on homosexual acts between consenting adults. But despite that major setback, in 2014 the nation officially began recognizing transgender people as a third sex, perhaps signaling a change in social attitudes.
As for Iyer and his mom, the ad seems to be working. She’s received at least three responses so far, though her preference for Iyer — a Brahmin caste, the top of India’s social hierarchy — may be a deterrent. Like any mother she just wants the best for her baby, but it’s no dealbreaker for Harish.
“I’ll make my own choice,” he said. “There’s no issue for me, as long as he is vegetarian and loves animals.”
Les Fabian Brathwaite — meat-lover, animal-hater…confirmed bachelor.
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Glücklich
Not a bad-looking guy. I’d want to change that hair though.
tllthn89
That’s actually a nice story. Wish my mom was like that here in america! Lol.
Jo Fisher
That’s a great mom! And he’s a hottie-someone will snap him up in no time!
Lance Cardinal
Wish well sell of think any better cause that u love me this loop the men it slep an play place it house will your male livelong would ling store?
Giancarlo85
Well… I hope he stays safe and there are no issues for him.
India has a lot of issues with this… including anti-gay violence.
Sno
Reminds me of this skit: youtube.com/watch?v=TYN63YPxM5w
Never understimate an Indian mother’s desire to see her kids get hitched.
christopherducati
go mom
Evji108
@Lance Cardinal: Come again?
jwtraveler
If only I were 20 years younger.
Avery Alvarez
Well, he is quite handsome, and that eyebrow rise is giving me some fever!
It’s a sweet story that I hope has a happy ending.
Saint Law
@jwtraveler: You’d be sixty.
Kangol
He’s a cutie, and I give props to his mother for being so supportive. I hope no homophobes come after him, though.
jwtraveler
@Saint Law: Really? That’s the best you can do. Pretty stupid, even for you.
Antonio Rosales
I had this conversation earlier today. It’s a real steuggle.