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I was struck again by the how difficult, if not impossible, it is to predict what will survive, or what will become significant. When “Dostana” was released, I found the film quite mediocre, and never thought the film would amount to anything (I don’t mean in a box office sense, I mean in terms of “meaning” something in the wider culture). And yet Dostana has surprised me, contributing to a new acceptability and a new level of visibility for the gay community in India; the film has certainly contributed to changing the terms of the discourse (of course, a film, and a film’s reception, is the confluence of many factors; and one would ignore the wider socio-economic context — wherein an upwardly mobile Indian elite increasingly has come to see accepting the legitimacy of gay rights as one of the hallmarks of “civilized” behavior; or rather, as resistance to the same being a symbol of “backwardness”, and an embarrassment): it can be no coincidence that post-Dostana, we saw Abhishek adopt a mock-gay persona at multiple public functions; Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan did likewise; then, after the elections, the Law Minister Veerappa Moily suggested that Article 377 (interpreted to criminalize homosexuality) was outdated (he later claimed he was misquoted); and now the Delhi High Court had come down in favor of gay rights. Dostana did not, of course, cause any of this — but it has become a watershed moment in contemporary urban/metro popular culture, a moment when Bollywood was (slightly) ahead of an emerging political consensus.
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Only thing SIK beat Rab ne was the 3 day Weekend,
28 cr vs 25 cr.
Hype for SIK was really ...
I see them every year in Manali.
But recently a few have re-appeared in my town. 
Housefull ATTBB,
BOI claimed 43 cr for SIK and 45 cr for RNBDJ..Then they cgnaged it to 39 cr for SIK ...
stop joking ihab.BOI said 43.77 crores for sik and 42 crores for rnbdj.Then they changed all the numbers.This was discussed ...
This year Akshay will give a reply to his distractors. While Karan's friends have started deserting his camp (Read Farha ...
Ihab
its ok.i did not find lakshya engaging enough.i liked it in parts.It was too slow and boring in second half. 
" Ihab,since you like Hrithik, would you like to elaborate on you watching Krrish 16 times in Theatres . "
Lol, ...
From being most common bird to their total disappearance from cities within a very short span of time (last 10-15 ...
what i comment about is my prerogative manoj - whether it disturbs you or not isnt my concern :-) 
Gorilla 1 July 2009
11:27:49 pm
Banning Savitabhabhi and liberalising homosexuality!
neelu 1 July 2009
11:43:50 pm
Q – if you remember, I wrote in my NG review of Dostana about the chatter among the audience, and that was exactly the feeling I got. That it opened up discussion on the topic.
Gorilla 2 July 2009
12:11:57 am
If one is thinking that the comedy movie Dostana evoked serious chatter among the audience then sorry, I disagree. The movie evoked gay and homosexual jokes among friends and colleagues. ‘Dostana’ is the new slang that is used to suggest (in a funny manner) to people of same sex hanging together for good reasons. It was no different from the ‘Kantaben’ jokes, though the latter hardly became as popular a slang/lingo. The reason why Dostana is referred has more to do with the slang that the word has become than for the movie’s content. Infact, what was the content or message – zilch. That the movie was entertaining I agree. So please do not bring the merit of a comedy movie like Dostana in a discussion that is far more serious.
In fact serious discussion on Homosexuality and gay rights is still to happen in India. I think once we reach a level of maturity on Human rights, other rights will fall in place.
Angels and Belds 2 July 2009
12:28:42 am
i dont believe serious discussion on gay rights exist anywhere. In most western societies – its probably considered more of a vote bank than any serious discussion topic – as such. And yes linking a comic flick like Dostana to discussion on gay rights – is silly at best
neelu 2 July 2009
12:53:52 am
“If one is thinking that the comedy movie Dostana evoked serious chatter among the audience then sorry, I disagree. ”
Not “one”, me. And I am talking of the audience at the theater where I saw the film.
Gorilla 2 July 2009
01:04:17 am
‘I am talking of the audience at the theater where I saw the film.’
Haha…are you serious? No one in a movie theater ‘discuss’ on a serious topic. It is done either before entering into a theater or after exiting. And ppl discussing while watching Dostana (can’t control my laughter now) – either they got bored or they knew that you are Neelu from NG who will report it on the website. Chances for the latter is more. If you try to remember, I am sure you will recollect their names, address, etc. Neelu, they just wanted to be famous and you fell into their trap.
BTW, I hate audiences ‘talking’ when I watch a movie. A sincere suggestion – Pls change the choice of your theatre if you want to enjoy movies more.
neelu 2 July 2009
01:07:27 am
Gorilla – I suggest you read my review. I am Neelu from NG and you should be able to search and find it. The chatter was in the intermission. I suggest you pick a theater where they discuss things in intermission. Oh I forgot – you prefer films where you check the brain in at the ticket counter
Gorilla 2 July 2009
01:11:39 am
Neelu you have gone off track as usual. I will wait for others to respond.
neelu 2 July 2009
01:13:57 am
I was on track commenting on what was written in this thread – the one that we are currently commenting on.
neelu 2 July 2009
01:15:33 am
And the film is question is kind of mentioned in the title of the thread.
Qalandar 2 July 2009
01:18:16 am
Yeah, I can appreciate you disagreeing with what I’m saying Gorilla, but it doesn’t seem off track to me, as I put Dostana front and center in this issue…
Gorilla 2 July 2009
01:22:34 am
Well off track was what Neelu was saying.
Q,
But are you serious in putting Dostana at the middle of this issue. Even Abhishek Bachchan, i assume, will not do this. I have already mentioned the reason. If it is not justified, I cannot help.
neelu 2 July 2009
01:24:46 am
Gorilla – I was talking of Dostana in the context of exactly what Q wrote. If that seems off track then your track is off is all I can say.
Qalandar 2 July 2009
01:24:52 am
Re: “Even Abhishek Bachchan, i assume, will not do this.”
Mein to abhishek se bhi zyaada gaya guzra hoon
neelu 2 July 2009
01:26:36 am
If you think Dostana does not belong in this discussion, then please take it up with Q for bringing it up in the context of the decision taken up by the courts. At least you should target the correct person, whether your targeting is justified or not.
Gorilla 2 July 2009
01:30:58 am
‘Mein to abhishek se bhi zyaada gaya guzra hoon’
The maximum concession I can give to Dostana was that it had homosexuality as an undercurrent throughout an entertaining movie. But suggesting anything more and that too ’serious’ is an over-reaction in my humble opinion.
Som 2 July 2009
01:34:41 am
Good to hear it, important step towards upholding human rights.
Talking about Dostana, it was hardly a film where “homosexuality” was tackled with any dignity.It was more of a compilation of few manufactured laughs in the attempt to lure box office, where it somehow succeeded.Nothing beyond that. Kal Ho Na Ho started this trend of laughing at other expenses primarily the GAY jokes, Dostana took it even further.
Gorilla 2 July 2009
01:35:13 am
Neelu, you went offtrack for me when you persisted with your argument of attaching too much importance to the chatter that takes place inside the theater during intermission and claiming it to be of serious nature and that too on a topic of gay rights. First I thought that you are joking (without realising that you hardly do) but then I thought that argument with you may end up discussing chatter in a theatre Vs serious discussion. So that’s when I put my brakes. My apologies if it offended you.
Gorilla 2 July 2009
01:36:27 am
I agree with Som and my previous comments is in sync with Beld’s and Som’s view.
neelu 2 July 2009
01:45:46 am
Chatter in a theater is exactly that. It is not a High court decision – that came later obviously! But it is still people talking, and their opinions are public opinion, not NG talking head opinion. And I HAD to say something because of your AKKI-style illogical “comic-relief” comments, people DO NOT talk during a movie where I go and see them, nor do they know who I am – though I guess that was misplaced and misfired sarcasm on your part.
“So that’s when I put my brakes.”
Your brakes do not seem to work on my posts.
Som – of course Dostana was NOT a serious film on homosexuality, nor did OP suggest that if you read his comments carefully. Did it help to chip away a little bit more and expose the subject into households? I think it did.
Angels and Belds 2 July 2009
01:49:15 am
Gor…a bhai – leave it dude – agar 24×7 log yahaan pe honge tho chatter sunega tho hi na
. Some people call that hallucination 
neelu 2 July 2009
01:55:36 am
Whatever that garbled sentence may may, it suggests to me that some people are more deluded that I thought they were. We were asking Rohit about the NG presence of the moderators. Now I am asking Rohit if it is his intent to limit member presence on NG? If that is the case then he should come out and say so and lay out clear guidelines. How many hors a day is seemly> How many times a month? Else have the moderators deal with pathetic harassment like this.
neelu 2 July 2009
01:56:20 am
Now I want to see which moderators are actually on NG doing their job of moderating.
Angels and Belds 2 July 2009
01:58:59 am
lol Gor…a bhai – aapne yeh gaana suna hai kya
‘tujhe mirchi lagi tho main kya karoon’
neelu 2 July 2009
02:00:00 am
Zaroor suna hoga – ghisa pita gaana hai – suits the style of him and his cronies.
Som 2 July 2009
02:03:50 am
Neelu: I liked Dostana in bits and parts, couple of scenes do stand out because of Abhishek more than writing but I don’t think It would have affected people’s views towards homosexuality in a positive way and let them wholeheartedly accept the change.I doubt those who saw and were entertained by Dostana would have even cared to discuss a taboo topic like homosexuality once they left the theaters.As I said I don’t really see Dostana beyond box office.
neelu 2 July 2009
02:07:53 am
Som are you on this thread in the capacity of Moderator? Or just commenting?
In response to your comments. For baby steps to be taken first a film has to broach the topic in some mainstream platform. Thus My Brother Nikhil was a serious take, but how many saw it? KHNH had gay undertones with Kantaben but many may have missed the context. Here a straight couple is pretending to be gay – and the word is mentioned about a thousand times in the film. You think that does not open the discussion just a bit more than before given the wide and family audience? That is all. OFC it was a commercial and fluff-stuff film, it was not pretending to be otherwise..
Som 2 July 2009
02:11:35 am
Angels and Belds: No making fun of any member.
I don’t see any wrong in Neelu discussing in favor of Dostana contributing towards this change i.e decriminalization of homosexuality.She is free to have her views. Instead of making fun of what she said, I would rather request you to make a case of how Dostana’s contribution towards this historic judgement was almost negligible, so you are not in agreement with what Neelu and Qalandar have said.
Angels and Belds 2 July 2009
02:14:13 am
>>Angels and Belds: No making fun of any member.
Nonsense!
I have every right to converse with Gor…a bhai in anyway i choose. if there are immature imbeciles on this forum who cant take a joke and whose only job is to whine – then tough luck – let them keep whining
neelu 2 July 2009
02:14:31 am
Who is making fun of whom? The issue is about 24/7 presence on NG – which should be a member’s prerogative as far as I can tell. But if Rohit wants us to limit our presence here then he should clearly come out and state that. Maybe he can specify hours, so some members are never here at the same time?
neelu 2 July 2009
02:16:04 am
And now it is time to leave and let our fine team of three moderators do their job. Otherwise they should tell us what it is that they can do.
Som 2 July 2009
02:20:45 am
“You think that does not open the discussion just a bit more than before given the wide and family audience?”
This is something I am not exactly sure.Here I concur to what Gorilla just said few comments back “‘Dostana’ is the new slang that is used to suggest (in a funny manner) to people of same sex hanging together for good reasons. It was no different from the ‘Kantaben’ jokes, though the latter hardly became as popular a slang/lingo”. Sadly I think in the similar fashion. It was more of a tool to make fun of homosexuality than seeing it in a more serious light vis-a-vis restoration of human rights and the acceptance of Gay people as “normal” and “human”.
Gorilla 2 July 2009
02:21:29 am
We should restrict ourselves in complaining. Moderators are also human. The thing here is few members have made it s a point to complain and then claim – ‘let’s see what moderators can do and how fast?’. This is a pressure tactic and should be avoided. It refrains impartial moderation.
Beld bhai, I stopped commenting on this thread the moment you advised me.
neelu 2 July 2009
02:24:11 am
“The thing here is few members have made it s a point to complain and then claim – ‘let’s see what moderators can do and how fast?’.”
Few members? Please do not allude to members in indirect way – take names if your can. As for the moderators – that is their job to contain rabid elements. But if they are unable then name-calling can be made free for all. Perhaps you should have taken that advice fully and not come back here.
neelu 2 July 2009
02:25:52 am
“It was more of a tool to make fun of homosexuality” You think the family audiences, the Moms and Pops are now making fun of homosexuality? If yes, then they always must have, if not – then at least such relationships have crossed their radar now.
Som 2 July 2009
02:28:43 am
“if there are immature imbeciles on this forum who cant take a joke and whose only job is to whine – then tough luck – let them keep whining”
Who are you to decide that everyone should take your jokes and not complain? If a certain member is not happy with the jokes and shows his/her dissatisfaction,you should stop there instead of going on and on to irritate the concerned person.
What is with this your constant ranting on 24/7 thing? If Neelu is happy in devoting that many hours to NG, why sould you make fun of that? It’s not a crime if she decides to be 24/7 on NG.
Angels and Belds 2 July 2009
02:33:46 am
som – did u see any direct reference to neelu in any of my comments today. if you did, speak up. else hold ur peace and take this moderation nonsense somewhere else. i guess u are trying to prove urself here – so go ahead and prove yourself.
as far as me deciding – thats my prerogative – havent asked you to agree – have i? so wtf is ur problem? i stand by what i said
Som 2 July 2009
02:34:59 am
“You think the family audiences, the Moms and Pops are now making fun of homosexuality?”
Give them another Dostana,they will still laugh.It shows to a great extent their reluctance to embrace gay and homosexuality anything but normal.
Anyway.More later.
Som 2 July 2009
02:38:46 am
“som – did u see any direct reference to neelu in any of my comments today. if you did, speak up. else hold ur peace and take this moderation nonsense somewhere else”
When Neelu has already shown her dissatisfaction,you should respect that.Or else go somewhere else where you can have the liberty to play with the jokes and make fun at someone else’s expense.
neelu 2 July 2009
02:39:15 am
Som – I think Rohit needs to step in here and show exactly what he expects from the moderators on a site he owns. If A and B is NOT referring to me then he should clearly state that for the record – that this has no reference to me. As a NG member I would still like to know WHICH MEMBER he is calling an imbecile and who the 24/7 rants are directed at. The thread so far has had comments from Q, Som, me and Gorilla – the net is rather small.
Angels and Belds 2 July 2009
02:40:42 am
som – where i go is not something u decide – its something i decide. if you or someone else dont like to come here – then u can choose to leave. even a moderator should moderate their moderation
Angels and Belds 2 July 2009
02:41:51 am
gor…a bhai – where is shetty – this thread could use him now.
neelu 2 July 2009
02:42:47 am
I repeat:
If A and B is NOT referring to me then he should clearly state that for the record – that this has no reference to me. As a NG member I would still like to know WHICH MEMBER he is calling an imbecile and who the 24/7 rants are directed at. The thread so far has had comments from Q, Som, me and Gorilla – the net is rather small.
But maybe this is to much to expect from those who always hide behind anonymous slurs.
Gorilla 2 July 2009
02:44:46 am
‘When Neelu has already shown her dissatisfaction,you should respect that.’
Well they say that people in Delhi are always dissatisfied. Arre kitni garmi hai yaar, arre wo cheese mehangi hai, etc.
If everyone shows dissatisfaction, things will never move. The issue here is different. If one is dissatisfied, one can very well ignore. But that is not the case. Som, i humbly request you to find out the mole and take a stand that satisfies both parties.
neelu 2 July 2009
02:46:54 am
Gorilla – are you involved in this discussion? In the capacity of advisor to moderator? I can happily ignore any slurs not directed at me, as can any other NG member. For the rest – please give advice when one asks for it and pays for it.
neelu 2 July 2009
02:48:53 am
As expected – there was no direct answer to a direct question. Because the parties involved (and this has been going on for a long time now) know that they are indulging in behaving like thugs and that is best done hidden and not out in the open.
Gorilla 2 July 2009
02:52:49 am
‘As expected – there was no direct answer to a direct question. Because the parties involved (and this has been going on for a long time now) know that they are indulging in behaving like thugs and that is best done hidden and not out in the open.’
Yeh apun ka ishtyle hai baap. Lena hai to lo nahin to …..
neelu 2 July 2009
02:53:39 am
I was not talking to you – padhna hai to thread padho nahin to……
Gorilla 2 July 2009
02:55:23 am
‘padhna hai to thread padho nahin to……’
Neelu, let’s call peace. Jhagra karne se kya hota hai. Saala Akshay cheesy ko gaali do na…i have no issues. But why fight among us.
neelu 2 July 2009
02:57:51 am
Gorilla – am I fighting with you? My comments directly relating to Dostana ones were directed at you, not the rest. My question was directed specifically – by name, but the response will not be forthcoming, because it somehow is easier to browbeat Som, who is basically a very nice guy trying to do a sincere job.
RAJ 2 July 2009
04:37:54 am
Guys..the usual suspects are at it again..
I like belds’ writing skills and sense of humor but the way he puts his weight in others fights,pulls others’ legs unnecessarily makes him an idiot more often than not…
The other day i had some issues with Jhonny and Gorilla…Jhonny responded and so did Gorilla…I am ok with this as long as they were direct(Infact they were) …I carry no heart feelings against them..When we discuss hot topics,there are bound to have some rush of blood..Its ok as long as we dont carry vendettas and heart feelings…
But the way beld interfeared in that entire episode without any rhyme and reason was just ridiculous…That was really instiagating things…Here is a guy who pokes his nose in everybodys’ matter in the pretext of joke(How ridiculous)…He basically instigates people to fight…I was too busy during those days to respond…also i thought”‘lets not vitiate the atmosphere”"”
But this kind of behavior needs correction….Somebodyelse said in other thread about how we dont need any moderator here at NG..but guys like beld needs moderation for sure…or may be Beld is a fantastic individual …or May be we are not matured enough or intelligent enough to take his jokes..
Ravi 2 July 2009
04:45:44 am
Cool Beld bro, made a fun morning read before the long weekend kicks in.
Angels and Belds 2 July 2009
04:49:30 am
probably it is just the last part of the last sentence Raj
u are cool dude – so aap se ladaai nahin – jo bhi bolna hai bholiye
Angels and Belds 2 July 2009
04:50:25 am
hey ravi – are u going to check out somy ali for the 4th weekend
RAJ 2 July 2009
05:20:11 am
Beld..
I carry no heart feelings bro..Just wanted to speak my mind out…..Nothing more to speak…
Anyways if you happen to come to my part of the world..you are always invited to my place….
Ravi 2 July 2009
05:20:36 am
That will have to wait till Aug as I plan to go there then, will do some stalking and/or stake out’s at that time.
Going to Orlando for a Telugu convention for the July 4th weekend, a few film stars are supposed to come for that notably Kaajal(she is good), Sanjana ,Namitha, Mamata Mohandas and a few other are coming. The other Telugu convention in Orlando at the same time is being graced by the presence of Ileana(I wish she came here instead).
Arun 2 July 2009
05:32:20 am
Ravi Bhai: How could you miss Ileana?? Anyways, Mamta is pretty good too
So have fun!!
Funny that none of the stars attending the “Telugu convention” are Telugu
RAJ 2 July 2009
05:35:47 am
Beld…
No heart feelings bro…Just wanted to speak my mind out..so did i..
If by any chance you visit my part of the world…then you are invited to my place…
Ravi 2 July 2009
05:49:54 am
Exactly Arun, mostly Bwood imports(except for Mamta) who make a minimum of 4 times the money that they would make compared to a Bwood movie(provided some one takes them there) in 1/4th the time. Good deal for the gals.
rudresh 2 July 2009
07:00:00 am
Its is the 5th or 6th thread where I am reading same thing again and again. when I saw 59 comments in the topic , i though wah NG pe Gay rights pe kya discussion ho rahi hai..
When checked i found the usual stuff……
Its getting boring guys….
rks 2 July 2009
08:45:13 am
On the topic, My views are similar to Gorilla and Som. Dostana is good in cinema halls and among friends for light moment but it still is a taboo topic when we have two different generations talking. I think it is one of the topics which most of us would want to discuss but don’t want to happen in vicinity.
I was reading last night that religious leaders have come against the high court decision. I believe their opposition is more to do with saving their turf.
From human rights perpective, I think it is progressive decision. But if we talk about human race and biological reproduction then homosexuality is not natural.
rks 2 July 2009
08:58:50 am
Link – Judgement
rks 2 July 2009
09:08:36 am
Indian court decriminalizes consensual gay sex – AP
JustaFan 2 July 2009
09:35:01 am
Sadly..NG is on a fast track to become planetbollywood forum. Rohit, it seems, doesn’t care anymore (or maybe he does but just doesn’t have time from his day job). I believe that moderators have a guideline and if they feel that someone has crossed the line than the person should be banned. If there are three moderators then they can vote. I personally find some of these posts more boring then offensive but that’s me. I am sure different members have different way of looking at things.
Guys…try to keep this site interesting!!!! Even when Satyam and Tango used to fight, the site was a fun place to come. Now it’s a big blah!!!!!
Qalandar 2 July 2009
10:09:43 am
I posted the following comments on the same news-item thread on satyamshot, but because they are relevant here too, I am pasting them below as well:
“This trend has been there for years: for at least 10-15 years I have been noticing that people in the big cities have been snickering about male-male friendships that one used to see everywhere in the sub-continent. i.e. the “awareness” of the discourse about homosexuality in the West seems to have problematized this aspect of same sex relations in the sub-continent (one could argue that it did so by revealing the latent homosexuality that was part of the fabric of desi cultures; but if so, this might yet show that making the implicit explicit has led to more ___phobia, not less, in a sense — phobia not of this or that orientation, but phobia of AMBIGUITY. The so-called modern mind wants things in neat boxes — it might be ok if the box is called “homosexual” or “heterosexual”, but it wants the label on the box to be clear. As should be obvious from my tone, I do not necessarily see this as a welcome development, even if one is thrilled at yet another lid being prised open given that we have already transitioned in many ways to such a society — if we have done so, then why deny homosexuals full rights?)”
“sm: I wasn’t saying Dostana CAUSED anything, but it played a part — obviously I would never accord it nearly as much moral credit as to the activists who have been struggling for years (and I have already noted that there is something a bit problematic/class-based about the gay rights movement, inasmuch as the urban classes seem more receptive to this — perhaps because “sanctioned” in the West too — than about issues that might impact their own lifestyle, such as the environmental catastrophes overtaking large parts of India, adivasi issues, etc.). But I do note that gay activists THEMSELVES have testified to the positive difference that Dostana has made — I heard the film cited on NDTV, and on Times NOW news channel. By all means, most will mock homosexuals — but, atrocious as this might sound, to mock means you cannot IGNORE (10 years ago, people of a certain generation would say these things don’t happen in India; they probably weren’t wrong inasmuch as most gay people would probably end up marrying and perhaps not even finding out what was bothering them their whole lives, but that’s hardly an excuse), and in my book that itself is a step up. Also, the reaction of abhishek when he was named gay icon was good: he said he was flattered, and he took it quite normally, like an award from any other fan group/constituency…I think we should not underestimate “normalization” and its power (why do you think gay marriage is being resisted so much in the USA?)”
LINK
Akshay 2 July 2009
10:13:20 am
Hi all
I am new to this site but still would like to offer a little advise. You guys are all wonderful and have an amazing understanding of Cinema and can really grow this platform and bring in enthusiasts from all parts of the globe.
Why do we have to think and discuss petty stuff and get into nit-pickings? Lets look at the larger picture, we are here to discuss movies and live in a world of Cinema so why not make it one of the best out there. The stage has been set already, and it needs passionate set of members to grow this further.
When there are individuals, there will always be a difference of opinion but that is always good for all involved. Narayan Murthy said, “Its good to disagree as long as we are not disagreeable”. We may fight over our favorite stars, our choice of movies, that is fine but lets be objective in our thoughts, give credit to where it is due and NEVER GET PERSONAL.
The moderators in my opinion are doing a great job and even to run and maintain a site like this needs efforts. They have their own work to do and still are doing things to the best of their abilities. If we dont like something they are doing, we may suggest them a solution rather than always telling them of the problems.
Cmon people lets aim to take this forward and create a great platform where all of us enjoy coming every day. That can only happen if all of you put in your positive energies here rather than being a part of mud-slinging.
I am new to this site and barely understand Cinema and have a deep understanding but when I look at you I feel sad because all of you are so brilliant in your understanding of the medium but still veer off the conversation to things which are completely unwanted. Please channelise your thoughts and see the things grow
Sorry for the unwanted gyaan
Qalandar 2 July 2009
10:20:22 am
Your sentiments are much appreciated Akshay, and there’s a lot of wisdom here.
When I woke up several hours after creating this thread, I was dismayed to find these sorts of comments directed against members. Dismayed, but not surprised, because I have seen this many times before. Desist from personal attacks on other members, it vitiates the atmosphere on NG.
neelu 2 July 2009
10:31:38 am
“but, atrocious as this might sound, to mock means you cannot IGNORE (10 years ago, people of a certain generation would say these things don’t happen in India; they probably weren’t wrong inasmuch as most gay people would probably end up marrying and perhaps not even finding out what was bothering them their whole lives, but that’s hardly an excuse)”
That is perfectly stated Q. In fact even in the West where some states have legalized same sex marriage – the mocking continues. To mock means you have already accepted the situation exists.
Som 2 July 2009
11:46:51 am
There was this debate on Headlines Today and I was shocked to see few labeling homosexuality as a disease and it will vitiate the value systems, culture of India.I don’t know what to say.This very mindset needs to be changed, thinking homosexuality as something that is not normal.Lets get the fact right; It is not a communicable disease or something that will make every person a gay or lesbian now.Someone is either a gay or he is not.It’s not like someone will be forced to become a gay now after legalization,it is a combination of both environmental and genetic factors which attribute towards homosexuality.
So far the legal battle has been won but the important aspect still remains and bothers is to win the societal battle. To start being recognized as a part of Indian society, whose contribution to the society can be as important as others.
Som 2 July 2009
12:16:02 pm
‘Homosexuality goes against the human race’
Som 3 July 2009
08:03:31 pm
‘The Magic Of The Human Spirit And Of A Nation’s Passion
Som 5 July 2009
11:33:27 pm
Moral victory for homosexuals? It is hardly one
Som 9 July 2009
01:18:04 am
SC issues notice to Centre on decriminalisation of gay sex
The Supreme Court has issued notice to Centre over decriminalisation of Section 377 of homosexuality laws. The court was hearing a petition filed by an astrologer challenging the Delhi High Court’s verdict legalising gay sex.
The next date of hearing is July 20.
The petition filed by Suresh Kumar Kaushal sought quashing of July 2 verdict of the High Court legalising gay
sex between consenting adults in private, which was earlier a criminal offence punishable with upto life imprisonmnet.
Kaushal said the petition, which came for hearing during the mentioning hour, contended that homosexual acts, by
all standard, an unnatural act and it could not be permitted.
“No one can imagine the consequences of the unnatural acts. Even animals don’t indulge in such activities,” Kaushal
said in his petition.
He said the High Court judgement would result in spread of HIV virus as “it has been amply proved that the
HIV virus is a result of unnatural sex.”
“We have to look at our own scriptures to seek guidance from them and it is against such behaviour in our
society,” he said.
“If such abnormality is permitted, then tomorrow people might seek permission for having sex with animals,” he
said.
The High Court, in a landmark verdict, legalised gay sex among consenting adults.
The verdict had retained the penal provision for non consenting gay and homosexual acts involving minors. (With PTI inputs)
Som 10 July 2009
09:31:51 pm
Baba Ramdev is wrong, homosexuality is no disease
Som 12 July 2009
11:56:44 am
Adam ‘N Steve Are Passé
Days after the Delhi High Court decriminalised homosexuality, I was in the company of some pointy heads, tripping over themselves to keep up with the rah-rah political correctness that the media and judiciary were exhibiting. I was almost convinced that the love that dare not speak its name had been heard at last, when an ex-IIM chief of a top ad agency paused in his think pink PC and asked me, “But this Celina Jaitley—is she gay?”
Of course, he realised the irrevocable crack in his veneer of sophistication, even before I pointed out the offensiveness of his question, but it was too late. And in that one instant I was back in the ’80s, when media parties inevitably segued into an orgy of speculation about same-sex coupling.
This is how it went. Pick the name of an ostensibly heterosexual A-list celebrity and then spend fifteen minutes allowing your imagination to run wild about his/her gay proclivities, before moving on to the next name. No one was exempt from this exercise. India’s top industrialist? Definitely gay. But he’s married with kids? That’s his beard—he gets his jollies cruising for boys in Chowpatty at night. The vivacious wife of an ageing Bollywood stud? Hits on her husband’s heroines. And so on and so forth.
I kid thee not, this is exactly how India’s media mavens spent many a delightful hour before they went home and indulged in boring white-bread sex with their partners or wanked off to the EPW.
But you know what? As objectionable and loose-tongued as this was, it came nothing close to the gossip indulged in by gays themselves. I was told in all confidence by a ferociously grand queen that one of India’s most beautiful actresses was having an affair with her female make-up artist. And that a rampantly heterosexual politician also liked little boys on the side. And as for the Indian cricket team—suffice it to say that sticky wickets took on a whole new meaning in the locker room. (We used to joke about a gay activist friend that according to him half the world was gay and the other half in the closet.)
What on earth is it about same-sex coupling that fascinates people? Recently, an evening spent with a yuppie couple from Calcutta rapidly deteriorated into an in-depth excavation of the rumoured homosexuality of Bollywood stars, as the glamour-struck hausfrau interrogated me about the proclivities of Abhishek, Salman, Akshay and Shahrukh. After doing my best to feed her frenzy I was bored to tears. “So what if they are or are not gay?” I heard myself exploding (to the relief of her husband who, unbeknownst to his gay-obsessed wife, was known to bat for both teams). “So what if the whole stinky lot of them are flamingly, uncontrollably, unabashedly gay?”
No sir, I don’t know if we’ll ever be a society where a gay TV anchor like Ellen Degeneres shows pictures of her honeymoon with her lesbian wife to the applause of hundreds of lustily cheering straight suburban housewives, but after the court judgement those that display gauche interest in the gay sex lives of others face the same fate as the ad man salivating over Celina Jaitley. Because no matter which votebank the politicians deem fit to appease, and no matter how the matter is finally decided if it’s challenged in the Supreme Court, it’s infra dig to be shocked by same-sex relationships any more.
Do so and you risk being on the same side as the profoundly foolish Baba Ramdev who with his one eye flickering maniacally on our TV screens says his prime objection to homosexuality is that it’s against nature’s order. Has no one informed him that if nature wanted us to fly we’d be born with wings? (Or that his vows of celibacy also militate against nature’s laws of procreation?)
Wait a minute—that’s acres and acres of unexplored minefield.With conventional wisdom holding 10 per cent of the human population to be gay, that makes a sizeable chunk of the very class of people who are opposing the court’s decriminalisation of it. Ten per cent of politicians, 10 per cent of our police force and, yes—10 per cent of our religious leaders. That should be a sizeable number. Don’t you think it’s time we examine the Church’s rich and heady history of homosexuality, or the penchant of gurus and religious heads for sodomising young boys?
After all who can tell what’s under those cassocks—or behind those beards!