Pride. That word now shorn of its gay prefix in these times of floating identities. Some marketing hack decided that the shortlist of identifiable sexualities might be too much of a mouthful. However, it’s being celebrated this week across the world, even in India with a small march in Kolkata.
London has announced crowds of up to half a million people. In Delhi some of us marked it by exchanging a message or two. All that is allowed. The illegality of it, the blanket social approbation. People living under such extreme conditions start behaving in extreme ways. How to negotiate simple acts such as meeting another human being, how to develop a more fulfilling sex life, an emotional life, a spiritual life. Altogether a more whole and humane existence.
Instead we have the spectacle of furtive, fleeting meetings. People only sticking around long enough to find out if you are willing to take it or give it. The whole act of love reduced to simple equations of giver and taker. Intimacy, well, there is no room for that. And the possibility of sharing a life. That seems beyond the realm of possibility.
So why is Indian society so prejudiced and basically so ignorant? It’s hard to believe that things have always been this way. Whenever our voices are raised, we’re told to shut up. It’s un-Indian or something. Now why would it be un-Indian to live in blissful ignorance? Wouldn’t it make more sense to make oneself more aware. Before I returned to Delhi, I was told that things had become cool over the last thirty years. I can’t see any evidence of that. It seems that the old prejudices are all intact. With the vast majority of people unable to act and the leadership still muffled.
However, yesterday there was a Press Conference at which many voices were heard in support of removing the anti-sodomy law even while acknowledging that rampant prejudice still exists against homosexuality. Tonight there is going to be a television programme during which Vikram Seth will announce his homosexuality in person. We need such pillars of our society to come out. It makes an enormous positive impact on the self image of millions of gay people in this country. Then, perhaps the courts will decide to remove the law. That will mark a beginning from where gay people can regain their self worth and pride, their human rights as contributing citizens of this society.