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The fifty-five year old, who moved to tourist town Mahabalipuram, known for its famous temples, back in 1998. Things went swimmingly for many years until Patrick reportedly started "seducing" local fishermen, a move that garnered him a five-year jail sentence: Magistrate of Tirukazhukundram court pronounced the sentence on July 27 after finding Miles Patrick, a resident of New York, guilty of inducing young fishermen into homosexuality by showing pornographic films and giving narcotics. Though India's urban citizens have become more accepting in recent years, same-sex loving remains illegal thanks to the colonial era law, Section 377. |
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The 2001 census ranked Mehsana as the district with the worst skewed sex ratio of just 801 women per 1000 men. The after effects are being seen now, with the north Gujarat town witnessing a marked increase in gay activity. This spike in gay sex is, of course, being blamed for an increase in sexually transmitted diseases. Clever. Meanwhile, we're not sure we buy this "pragmatic gay" argument. It's not like sexually frustrated homos start searching for snatch. Well, unless we're really horny. And drunk. |
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Most of the marchers came out to oppose Section 377, the colonial era law prohibiting gay activities. While most political leaders oppose opening the laws for the lavender set, none actively protested this weekend's happenings, saying they didn't want to give the gays too much attention. Ain't that grand? |
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The marchers plan to sing, give speeches and hold candlelit vigils in simultaneous parades in New Delhi, Calcutta and Bangalore on Sunday, said Gautam Bhan, a writer and gay rights activist involved with organizing the marches. We'd say that all pride celebrations are a sign of protest, although it's certainly overdue in India - their sodomy laws date back to British colonialism. |
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» A Little Help…
India's High Court, which is currently debating whether or not to decriminalize homosexuality, has asked the Attorney General's office for a bit of assistance in the matter. [PTI] |
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» Cutting 377.
Homo hopes are up in India, where a court is reconsidering Section 377, a Colonial era penal code criminalizing same-sex loving. Activists are hoping the court will "read down" the law, which would remove gay speak from 377. [Times of India] |
» Heart Burn.
Two Indian women set themselves ablaze this weekend after their families and husbands tried to put an end to what relatives referred to as their "unusual relationship," by which they mean lesbian love. "The incident came to light on Saturday morning when the family members noticed thick smoke emanating from the house, where the women stayed the previous night. They peeped through the window and were shocked to see the bodies lying as if they had died hugging each other." [Times of India] |
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Coppers arrested 18-year old Kalpesh Patel this week for the murder of 35-year old Mohan Patel, with whom he has no familial relation. Kalpesh admitted to killing the older man, but claims he was simply defending himself from Mohan's sexual advances: On Monday night, Mohan asked him to accompany him to the Natraj theatre for some work. On finding a deserted place, Mohan asked him to have a homosexual relationship with him. On his refusal, Mohan threatened to kill him and even slapped and punched and later tried to rip his clothes. On finding no way to escape, Kalpesh took a stone lying on the ground and inflicted repeated wounds on Mohan's head before escaping from the spot. Mahidharpura police inspector A R Desai said, "We have arrested Kalpesh. This teenage boy was forced to have a homosexual relationship with Mohan, who stays with his wife and children and works in the diamond firm in Katargam. During investigation we talked to some of the employees of Khodiar Krupa diamond firm and his friends and learnt that Mohan was into homosexual relationship with several [other] people." We can't say whether or not young Patel's telling the truth - we're not psychic - but it would be a great motive: Indian law continues to marginalize the gays, a legal leftover from the colonial days. |
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The press release also labels Clark a "controversial actor," which implies he's well known, but we've never heard of him. A quick look at IMDB turns up a few unnotable credits, including a film called Blood Mountain, which is categorized as a horror flick. He's also credited in a movie called Black Men Can Swim. Both films are written and directed by American Indian filmmaker Parthiban Shanmugam, who also made a documentary about Clark. So, basically, this is some sort of faux-celebrity circle jerk. Also, how in good God is this man getting face time with the Pope? We call bullshit. |
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» Outsourcing.
India's rapidly becoming fertile ground for surrogate pregnancies, including some for gay men. Lou Dobbs ain't gonna be bouncing happy about this one…[NY Times] |
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» Good Headline:
We just stumbled across an article entitled "The world through the eyes of a gay person." The story's a first person account of being a homo in India. It's worth a read, definitely, if only to honor the radical headline. [Rediff] |
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I think we are a homophobic country and I believe the media's insensitive sensationalisation of the issue is largely responsible for this. Siddharth, you can respect us any day! And by "respect," we mean kiss, smooch and all that jazz. Or is it jizz? |
» Cricket Team's Flash Free Gay Night
Here's some news for those of you who get off on sportsmen in gay places: former Australian cricketer Shane Warne led some of the current team to Indian's gay hot spot Love Machine over the weekend. The boys were apparently unaware of the bar's bent ways. Drag queens and twinks went wild for the gents, but weren't permitted to take any photos of the boys' night out. [Herald Sun] |
» Bollywood Talks Gay
Scores of Bollywood stars spoke out against a recent anti-gay raid in India. While most of them expressed love of their gay friends and the such, others were a bit more restrained. Celina Jaitley, however, got to the heart of the matter: "In Britain, they've gay marriages. So why are we stuck with their obsolete laws? They left the country long back!" Word. [SIFY] |
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24-year old Sahil Bhoricha and his friends rented a bungalow in the Yeoor Hills and planned to have a party. In an effort to boost attendance, Bhoricha and company sent out text messages, emails and placed an advert on the internet. Cops caught wind of the event and formulated an elaborate plan to close down the queer event. Based on information from nearby residents, the police swung into action by inspecting vehicles at a checkpost on the road leading to Yeoor. A person transporting a music system to the venue was intercepted. Subsequently, he led them to the place where Sahil and four others were present. Gay activist Ashok Row Kavi questioned the coppers' reasoning: There's something objectionable in the way the police—instead of going after terrorists and thieves—are going after innocent people. What's the big deal? These boys were all adults and were taking a crate of beer to a party in a private place. It's unfair that you barge in. Besides, carrying condoms isn't a sin. Apparently authorities didn't agree - not initially, at least. Perhaps the magistrate's decision will send a message to police: fight actual crime, not things which should no longer be considering as such… |