India's come up more than a few times on this site. One of our recent tales revolved around two lesbian lovers who asked police to help them fight their parent's wishes and stay together. They didn't.

Today, we came across a piece that reiterates much of the same: India still maintains a colonial era ban on homosexuality, the majority of society doesn't approve, etc. etc. What's different about this particular piece is that it focusses on the idea of faggotry as a punishment - that is, gay men and women often feel that they're paying the price for a wrong-doing. Homos, then, tend to eschew one another.

Yes, there are gay clubs and bars and the such, but no neighborhoods like Chelsea or the Castro, for gays fear being collectively stigmatized, journo Karthik P asserts (notice no last name on by-line). Fear may permeate gay life in India, but not all gays live in such terrified conditions. Karthik speaks to a gay poet who insists he won't allow it to define his life.

Hoshang Merchant explains, "I was beaten up once for my sexual indulgence and the experience made me assert myself." What's most intriguing about this article comes not from Merchant's personal strength - although, yes, that's notable - but in his description of his alleged crime: "sexual indulgence". A bit of a backward statement considering he's declaring his gay liberation, no?

It seems that even the most out and proud of gay men can still have their hang-ups. Even big ol' queers such as ourselves - we like to cuddle. Sick, right? We're such vile creatures, somebody stop us!

The dichotomy of sexuality [India Times]