The man, referred to as “Sanjoy,” is in his early 20s and lives in Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, in West Bengal, India. According to the paper, after his family got wind of his living situation, they hired a group of men to torment him both physically and emotionally.
Related: See How This Adorable Indian Couple Is Challenging Homophobia In Their Country
“Violence against the LGBTQ community is extremely common in India,” Koninika Roy, who works for the Humsafar Trust, an advocacy group for LGBTQ rights, tells India Times. “Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and the fact that same sex behavior is criminalized in the country means that homosexuals cannot live freely. The story of this gay couple is just one of the examples of how the LGBTQ community is treated in India.”
In Sanjoy’s case, in addition to hiring men to harass their son, his parents also forced him see a doctor about being “cured” of his homosexuality. When the doctor refused to help, the family looked into “corrective rape” therapy, a crime used against gay and lesbian people to punish them for their same-sex attractions. It is sometimes encouraged by family members hoping to turn their children straight.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Since the ordeal, Sanjoy has obtained a court order against his parents and is still living with his boyfriend, although court fees have depleted their bank accounts. Despite all this, they say they are looking ahead.
“Love kept us strong and our mental strength added to the fuel of the ‘won’t-be-giving up’ attitude,” Sanjoy’s partner said. “We are living together as for now, with nothing but each other.”
Related: This Indian Trans Band’s Cover Of Pharrell’s “Happy” Will Make You Smile
Jack Meoff
I can’t believe that things like this still happen in some countries. I get angry that we don’t have same sex marriage in Australia but reading this puts things in perspective. It makes you realise how lucky we are despite the current political climate in our countries. I admire their strength to fight this and persevere.
ChrisK
I’ll bet the parents were religious nuts as well. It’s like the peanut butter to the jelly.
GayEGO
I hope these guys can leave the parents behind in their dark ages. It is disgusting to see people who refuse to use their brain and evolve with the rest of us.
Neonegro
so they hire gays to rape the gay out of him? lol
QTYMann
“… court fees have depleted their bank accounts.” So, is there any way to help replenish their bank accounts? I hate it when you make a statement like that then don’t provide a way to help. They have PayPal in India, although only for merchants, so you have to pretend your buying something to send money to someone there.
Kangol
I thought the same thing. I’d send them money if I could. I hope they can get away from the hateful family and parents and find some of the gay-affirming and LGBT communities in India. They do exist.
JessPH
How exactly do you “correctively rape” a gay man? You hire a woman to give him head and forcibly enter his dick to her vagina? Lol.