Celina speaks
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| Calling for gay rights in India | |||
Hi, I am Celina Jaitley... a film star by profession and a gay rights activist by humanity. When I openly stood up for the human rights of sexual minorities, I got a whole lot of support from people all over the world; at the same time I have been accused of being a lesbian (which is all right) and, more importantly, scorned and abused for standing up for the sexual minorities’ rights. Before I begin I would like to explain my sexuality: I am a straight woman with a whole lotta balls! ------------------------------------------------------------
I have created a community on itimes to stand up for equal rights for gay community
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Read related blog:
Manoj Mitta's blog - Why is India with Taliban on gay people?
One of the two people who were catalysts in my taking the gay rights issue to another level, was a transgender makeup artist who was 50-years-old and stood by me in my struggling days as a model and actor. He was like a mother to me, he gave me pocket money when I was broke, and even looked after me when I was ill. Thanks to him I became a Miss India. He sent my entry application and I went on to become a Miss Universe runner-up. He, too, suffered in the battle against society and underwent many heartbreaking incidents of gay-bashing before passing away in an accident two years ago. He, too, wanted to do a lot for the transgender community... and my makeup on my wedding day, which never happened.
The other person lived through the trauma of being in a relationship with a closeted gay (who went on to become one of my dearest friends) and who also passed away last year having been a victim of depression and bulimia due to the stresses of being gay in a homophobic society. He was also a victim of gay bashing alcoholism and drug abuse and there came a point that despite his illness we couldn't get him help; his family refused to accept the fact that he was gay and that’s what was causing it, because he couldn’t be himself. Well his family... they didn’t even know of the concept. Besides these two, I have had the love and friendship of many gay friends and my own gay employees who I feel I owe my support to. They all inspire me to continue doing this... I owe it to their love and memory.
The biggest hurdle in India (the world’s largest democracy) which stands in the way of gay rights is Section 377... this law has been used to systematically persecute, blackmail, arrest and terrorize sexual minorities. Section 377 is also seen as an anachronism from a less tolerant era and health care officials struggling to contain India’s AIDS epidemic warn that it is constantly hampering their efforts to contact vulnerable groups. I would like to most importantly point out that the (Section 377) legislation was introduced by British colonial authorities and does not reflect on Hindu cultural values. Even a prince was not spared of people’s misunderstanding and misacceptance of gays in India.
In 2005, Prince Manavendra Singh Gohil from a conservative principality in Gujarat publicly came out as gay. He was quickly anointed by the Indian and world media as the first openly gay royal. He was promptly disinherited as an immediate reaction by the royal family, but they eventually reconciled. Since then, Prince Manavendra has even appeared at the Oprah Winfrey show. Then, in 2008, Zoltan Parag, a competitor at the Mr. Gay International contest said that he was “scared” to return to India for fear of discrimination. He said, “The Indian media has exposed me so much that now when I call my friends back home, their parents do not let them talk to me.”
However, there are many gay tolerant countries and societies in the world. For instance Iceland, which is set to appoint the world’s first openly gay Prime Minister — a former flight attendant who rose through the political ranks to become a cabinet minister. Johanna Sigurdardottir, the island nation’s 66-year-old Social Affairs Minister, is the pick of the Social Democratic Alliance Party to lead an interim government. “Johanna is a very good woman — but she likes public spending, she is a tax raiser,” said Geir Haarde, who quit as Prime Minister partly for health reasons. Johanna entered politics through the labour movement, serving as a labour organiser when she worked as a flight attendant with Loftleidir Airlines — now Icelandair, in the 1960s and 1970s. She was first elected to Iceland’s parliament in 1978. She became a minister in 1987 and has held her current post since 1999. Despite her veteran status, many Icelanders regard her as a maverick and respect her work promoting the welfare of minority groups. She faces the difficult task of repairing the nation’s shattered economy and rebuilding public trust in the government. Icelanders are deeply angry at their government for not reining in the country’s banks and leading the once-prosperous nation into an economic nightmare.
But sadly in India, except for the glamour industry, gay people are looked down upon. I personally know of gay doctors, hotel professionals, even scientists and government officials who are terrified of the fact that if people at their work or their families come to know, hell will break loose. So they live a suffocating closeted life and carry on becoming victims of depression, alcoholism and drug abuse. On June 29, 2008, four Indian cities (Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata and Puducherry) celebrated Gay Pride parades. These were the first in Delhi, Bangalore and Puducherry. About 2,000 people turned out in these nationwide parades. I joined my gay friends in this endeavour. Though not much is happening about gay rights, at least now that I speak much about it people are talking about it and the media has started showing support.
India needs to shrug off its colonial mentality and come out of its all-prevalent homophobia. It appalls and dismays me to see the attitudes of Indian people towards homosexuals/bisexuals — they’re subject to really insensitive jokes/comments and open derision. The whole tendency is to brush everything under the carpet — discussing sexuality or sexual health is a taboo even now. No wonder India is so afflicted with HIV/AIDS and the situation can only get worse if it keeps getting brushed under the carpet. An HIV-AIDS prevention organization, The NAZ Foundation, has sued to have Section 377 overturned but the case was rejected on grounds that “public morality” should “prevail over the exercise of any private right”. The petition is being heard again on appeal.
When someone tries to identify with the gay/bisexual community, people and friends say, “Sexuality is only one very small aspect of life. It shouldn’t define who you are.” But what they don’t understand is THAT is exactly what the gay community is fighting for. People should understand that gays/bisexuals are normal too and just like any other human being. High time India got rid of that parochial law. The saddest thing is that not even the younger generation, whom one expects new vision and liberalism from, is very supportive... their idea of modernization (as a fan of mine wrote to me) is “working in multinationals and IT companies, experiencing their nouveau riches and playing with cellphones and drinking at bars”.
I was most happy recently to relaunch Bombay Dost (India’s first gay magazine) along with Prince Manvendra and gay rights activist Ashok Row Kavi .The new Bombay Dost comes with the tag-line ‘bolder than ever’ — the ‘boldness’ has to do with the forthrightness with which the LGBT cultural expression is showcased. The magazine is a standard bearer for the growing confidence and artistic alacrity displayed by India’s homosexuals, says Nitin Karani (gay rights activist). I feel it eschews any notion of ‘them and us’ and mirrors the inclusiveness that we would expect in a more egalitarian society. For a lot of people, gay identity consists of maybe a few behavioral traits, superficial characteristics or even psychological symptoms. For many it is merely a ‘sex thing’. Bombay Dost seeks to break out of these limiting notions. It is not just about sexuality or gender constructs, but about the people we adore, the lives we live, the cultural experiences that shape gay community — everything around and everything around them.
My advice to all people who want to support gay rights in India is: Everybody thinks of changing humanity but nobody thinks of changing themselves.... change your attitude towards gay people from within and your support is shown.
I have come up the hard way with unwavering faith in my principles and always trusted my instincts. Due to personal reasons also this cause is very important to me. I don’t know how I am going to do it.. .but I know only one thing, and that is I am going to do it. I feel it’s not about gay rights ... it’s about human dignity and human rights. Some one had to stand up and I did so.
“Take the first step in faith, you don’t have to see the whole staircase... just take the first step.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
All iTimes members can join my petition to the health ministry to have Section 377 amended.
http://www.itimes.com/main_community.php?gid=13494
Tags : Celina Jaitely, Gay
Posted by Celina Jaitley in Celebrity blogs on Mon, 11 May, 2009
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Comments
Vcs Chandru: Young Indians should concentrate in good things. the fashion or fantasy should b acquired from healthy views. 'gay' the drainage organisms should concentrate in legit things. it is not a acceptable thing by everyone. it will not help the nation to give rights. many farmers, hand loom weavers are committing suicide themselves every years. the real human right activists should concentrate on this things. it will help the poor people.
Posted on Thu, 14 Jan, 2010 Report abuse
Muddasar Shaikh:
i am agree with the celina jaitley's view that the gay community are being look down upon in india, but the being gay is the desease for the community, i feel the gay arises because of not getting the girls for the sex, peoples force the low self esteemed people to be recessive for the sex, it the marriages are made easy then there would be no gays.
generallly it happens that people are not ready to marry early as there are many repsonsibilities, for the satisfaction of there sex need they force the womens to become the sex worker or force the other self-esteemed man to become the gay only for the sexual satisfaction.
making the legalisation of 377 will not make any difference, rather it would make the people to do the ill activities openly,
to curb this situation we need only to make the marrianges as simple and as easy as possible so that the gay desease should get vanish,
if you go thorough the Koran you will find that this act have drawn the angers of
GOD.
Hindian Guy:
Congratulations again everyone.
"The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the Delhi High Court judgment decriminalizing homosexuality. The ruling is now applicable all over India."
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/SC-refuses-to-stay-HC-order-tha- - t-decriminalizes-gay-sex/articleshow/4798150.cms
My two cents : Central govt too, can no longer make the fake excuse to being sensitive to "sentiments of majority" either anymore. Not after they stuck to their guns in context to sati pratha and mandal commission reservations, despite the "sentiments of same majority" before.
Either the reservations should be made only for the poor, irrespective of caste, or the IPC 377 regards consensual sex continues being repealed. Govt cannot use one logic in one case, and a different logic in another near-identical case, just to protect its vote-bank.
Hindian Guy:
@EPM
And you sir, are an insane person obsessed with making people have sex using the "better hole".
What is worse, even though you are not being forced to do something you do not like, you want to jail people for something that is none of your business, nor does it harms you or any innocent in any way.
You are an inhuman, sick, mentally disturbed, obsessed disturbed person and need serious psychiatric help.
E P M:
These gays - are those humans with less human character, who dont seem to have enough intellience to find a better hole for satisfying their sexual desire. All they see is the dirty ass. Their mind is sick / mentally ill. So, they need a serious mental help to show what is a better hole.
E P M
Hindian Guy:
@Felix James
Correct me if I am wrong so-called "Dr.", but almost every single major medical invention and innovation has come from the "ruins" of this western culture correct? Seems like the children of these single parents have made much more contribution to mankind, than you and your ancestors ever have.
And why is human race at any risk if gays are not jailed? Would you turn into a gay? Will you stop having children? Do you suddenly feel tempted to have sex with other men, now that it is legal?
Joseph A: @ Dr. Felix James: The last time I checked Western culture wasn't suffering in anyway you indicate. Heck I live in it and I think it's flourishing, and is the reason why plenty of Indians would still readily emigrate to one if offered. I think India has contributed way more than required to the next generation in terms of numbers. When was the last time you checked our population? By what reasoning is a single parent "selfish"? Did you know that Indian Govt. is trying hard to restrict people from having any more kids? Your ignorance is shocking. What kind of doctorate is it that you have?
Posted on Tue, 14 Jul, 2009 Report abuseTanix Mukherzee: A very cheap publicity stunt mam...how long u were working for gay rights...suddenly u came into the limelight...IS this a new way a "short kut" to short span stardom in Bollywood...Tho i m a hard core hetero i feel bad for hw these same sex lovers r treated in our country ...I salute Delhi High Court's decision... But u please stay away...Let Ashoke Row Kavi do his job...U concentrate in urs...
Posted on Thu, 09 Jul, 2009 Report abuseDr Felix James: Pleasure from sexual activities is an incentive to maintain human race by stabilizing the bond between husband and wife. All other selfish motives to derive sexual pleasure gradually ruins human race. Just broaden your vision, think of the next generation....... For them to survive in a secure family (husband+wife+children),there has to be no compromise on the natural ways of sexual expression. It is really heartbreaking to realize, that you have learned nothing from the ruined western culture - where majority of children are with 'single parent' and people living selfishly, die off without contributing a new generation. It is really a shame to support and promote homosexual activities. Let the younger generation rise up against these cunning moves to legalize homosexuality. God save India.
Posted on Tue, 07 Jul, 2009 Report abuse
Vishal Sinha:
i read celina's article published in sunday times about 2 months ago
i think that gays shouls also get equal right like us
its their life and they can do whatever they want
if they dont have any problem with their way of living then why should we create problem for them
Dr Felix James: GOD SAVE INDIA!!!
Posted on Mon, 06 Jul, 2009 Report abuse
Annemarie Franzisk..:
FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY
Delhi High Court legalizes homosexuality
Hindian Guy:
@Harry Anand,
And I take it that you are implying that I get paid for some insane reason to get you to comment on this blog.
Which means that "someone" would like people like you commenting more on this blog. And you don't want to continue commenting here and oblige this "someone".
So just go away? stop commenting? Why are you STILL commenting here, despite saying that you dont want to comment here?
If you don't want to reply to me that is just saying "Okay I cannot answer your questions, since I know I am wrong... but I am just full of hatred and maliciousness and pettiness and will continue venting venom against innocents who do not harm me in any way."
Feel free.
But newsflash! I am more concerned with you infecting any other moron with your venom, so I WILL keep refuting your lies. Anyone who thinks you are right, will immediately see that you are unable to provide any explanation as to how homosexuals harm you, to justify jailing them.
Keep commenting. So will I.
Hindian Guy:
@Hary Anand,
Any fair-minded decent person will be disturbed by a mind full of maliciousness that wants to hurt/oppress innocents who have caused him no harm.
I fail to see why anyone would pay me. It sounds like a great idea and I could do with some extra dollars, but what would they gain from it? But I do think you are being paid by the corrupt lawyers, policemen who make money from extortion and blackmailing gays.
And you are just proving your immaturity. "I cannot answer your questions, and I am a sore loser, so I hates youz guyz!!! and I won't talk to you, you creepsies!"
My sole reason for replying is that I hate bullies and malcisious narrow-minded people. Unless you can prove beyond doubt how homosexuality harms YOU, you are just trying to promote bullying someone who has caused you no harm, just because you dislike them.
If you cannot "prove" your facts and truth rationally, they are just lies, hatred and maliciousness.
Harry Anand:
WOW !!! Hindian Guy is extremely disturbed by my views and so is Ishtar Gate. If views alone can disturb the minds of people, imagine what an activity and its promotion can do. Acknowledging an act is promoting it (let me teach these two guys, before they jump and hit the roof).
I completely agree with Nomadic Prune and am sure this Hindian Guy is being paid for his comments and that's why he's working overtime. So its no point arguing with him and the likes; in any case these two guys argue like kids (tit for tat types); so its no fun talking to them. But am sad that all these people are so very oblivious of facts and 'Truth'.
Ishtar Gate:
@Sudershan Sudhakar: It cannot be cured because it is neither an abnormality nor a disorder. Homosexuals are not lepers, they are perfectly fit mentally, physically and sexually. The only happen to be attracted to their own sex, kind of like how I am attracted to philosophy and my sister is attracted to medicine.
@Buzz: I completely lost you by the third sentence.
@Nomadic: Alright, I'll give you one LOL, but that's it.
Nomadic Prune: Dear all, @ Hindian Guy is working for Itimes, and he wants to continue the debate for commercial benefit of the website. He is a hired person to expand business of Times group. In fact he does not have to do anything with any human rights or he does not work for any human right organization. Please do not waste your time responding to his questions. While he is paid to what he writes, you are fooled for your replies. . He traps you and makes dialogue last longer. Save your time and use for some worthy work.
Posted on Tue, 30 Jun, 2009 Report abuse
Hindian Guy:
Buzz Nameit,
Is it so difficult for you to allow equality?
Buzzit Nameit: Do you guys stop and satisfy with amending 377 or want to go all the way to force Gay Marriage. If is just 377 and you want to do what ever you wish behind the doors, it may be OK for most. If not, you may see full blown attacks and humiliation. Security forces can provide security only when they know who is going to be attacked and for those who fill pages here and act as straight in the real world, no one can provide security.
Posted on Mon, 29 Jun, 2009 Report abuse
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Trina Sakhsi: Not sure if this is the right place but I found a blog in which an Indian guy talks about gay sex - and he's unabashed - and very funny too !!
Posted on Tue, 02 Mar, 2010 Report abusehttp://gay-sex-india.blogspot.com/
I figured everyone could do with another perspective.