How the IPC and the Indian Media seem to be suffering from a case of chronic colonial hangover.
The British were the carriers of many things, the English language, the railways, the industrial revolution and a homophobic attitude literally interpreted from Adam and Eve’s heterosexual mutual transgression. This our governments and lawmakers have internalized and served to condemn in sec 377 of the IPC. It is in protest of this colonial outlook that about a 1000 people from the LGBT community and its supporters took to the streets of Delhi on 29th of June’08. The peace march was organized to show solidarity and unity in the face of blind adaptation of the colonial rule. Waving the Rainbow flag this community asked to be accepted for who they are. They ask merely for the same freedom from interference in their lives, which their heterosexual counterparts enjoy.
However, like all colonial hangovers the IPC is the written representative of Lutyen’s Delhi. Where the bureaucracy of the Indian Government is enshrined in aesthetically pleasing colonial structures. So 19th Century British Christian theology’s outlook on homosexuality gets laterally imprinted on a country that produced the kama sutra, simply because a hangover of 400 years left a headache as lengthy.
To alleviate this headache, The Pride parade was a step in the positive direction, however the media coverage may have served to malign this act.
Most news and print media focused on the transsexual and Hijra members of the LGBT community as its sole representatives. Thus to most people this small proportion of the community ends up reflecting the entire population, which is not the case.
In fact a reporter in a renowned daily even described them as dressed in ‘tacky’ outfits, referring to the community as a whole. This immediately casts in negative overtones all deviations from hetero-normativity. The media is responsible for constructing mass culture’s perception of things. Carelessly strewing opinions where the average proletariat can pick it up is gross callousness. With a nation as vast as ours you’d think leading dailies would tread a bit more wisely, yet ignorance after all is bliss.
The question then remains; Heterosexuals do not need a pride parade to demonstrate their sexuality why should homosexuals have to parade in one to fight for their right to love?
By JDL
Image: Tanvi Srivastava
![empty_stadiums[3]](http://dubeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/empty_stadiums31-50x50.jpg "empty_stadiums[3]")
8 comments
Ivnat says:
Jul 2, 2008
Hopefully, this is a first step towards taking us somewhere beyond the rainbow
Bud says:
Jul 3, 2008
The article makes a very important point about callous media coverage. Foolish censorship and reporting without keeping in mind the consequences of the content is perhaps amongst the most significant causative agents of cultural problems in this country.
Rohan says:
Jul 4, 2008
I agree completely and the media is quite irresponsible to a large extent!! they promulgate stupid stereotypes in the name of hype!
Kriti says:
Jul 5, 2008
I believe that everyone should be able to do whatever they want to do. As long as other’s are not harmed along the way. Very simply put. Live and let live.
So the fact that no one should have to “fight for their right to love” is the most relevant here. Specially since every year there are people who don’t have the means to fight and hence are forced into marriage. Or women who commit suicide because they are condemned for being different.
If any norm forces people to such lengths, it needs to be done away with.
Varun Rana says:
Jul 7, 2008
Dear JDL,
With reference to your closing line, I’d like to say that ‘homosexuals’ definitely need a pride parade for their right to love simply because if they don’t, they will always be denied it. Ideally it should not be so, but actually, it is so. And yes, I agree with you on all else.
MCL says:
Jul 11, 2008
I agree with u. The media coverage was farcical – typical of the majority mindset.
Only when u are in a minority can u realise the pain of being in a minority. Any way do you
subscribe to ” majority consists of….heteros”??
Megha says:
Jul 14, 2008
Why they need a pride parade? To show everyone at large that there isn’t anything wrong with being homosexual/bi-sexual. Yes, in our country, where section 377 is misused to exploit homosexuals etc especially with the lower rung of society, we need more displays of people coming out of the closet. We need to embed a stronger support system to enhance acceptability.
The petition filed by NAZ Foundation against section 377 is still subjudice. But a law alone will not foster a change in the mind-set of people. They have to be steady and positive changes that make an impact…like the pride parade.
SS says:
Jul 16, 2008
Hmmm….I’m still not completely in favour of gay pride parades. I don’t see why one needs to “celebrate” the differences. I think most ppl from the gay community would want acceptance as “normal” ppl, which usually comes with the establishment of common ground between different people. Yes, the differences need to be respected, but ultimately the aim needs to be to make these differences irrelevant –something that isn’t done by parading them.
Having said that, I will still say that to begin with, I guess you do need to make an impact, in order to make your presence felt. But again, this can do more harm than good in the long term.