India is not an easy place to be gay, in no small part because it is illegal. Gay rights activists are hoping to change some minds this week with the 10-day festival "Queerfest 07." Sounding similar to the Gay Pride events we are so used to in the United States, this is a revolutionary event in India. From the Washington Post article:
Homosexuality is a crime in India and can result in a jail term of at least 10 years.
While the British colonial-era law has rarely been enforced, activists say it has become a tool for police to harass gay and lesbian couples in order to get bribes.
If couples refuse or are unable to pay a bribe, they are often put in dingy cells, brutally beaten and humiliated.
The anti-gay law, which dates back to the 19th century, is now being questioned by gay rights groups who argue that not only is it an abuse of human rights but also acts as an impediment in the fight against HIV/AIDS in India.
However, the government says Indian society is not ready to legalize homosexuality. A court judgment is pending.
Activists say the festival -- which will include talks, photo exhibitions, films, performances and a candlelight vigil -- is an attempt to use culture to help society recognize the rights of India's homosexuals.
Hopefully this festival will make a difference. It's unfortunate that right-wing Christians are not the only group who can aggressively discriminate against GLBT people.
The battle for equal rights is being fought on many fronts in many nations across the globe.
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