If you're happy and you're gay...clap your hands!

A shy, smiling man in his mid 20's escorted me to the room inside. He told me his name was Rahul. He showed me the book case where all the books i needed for referencing were neatly stacked. He was kind and patient. He told me that he had a boyfriend who he met regularly, there at Humsafar center. It was a haven for homosexual men and eunuchs. A hide out from the beating, threatening, insulting policemen on the road. I later spoke to Mr. Ashok Rao Kavi, a leading gay activist. A long and tumulus journey was etched on his face. The worry, the passion and compassion is what i remember of him.

A time of triumph for people who love their own kind. But legal acceptance does not in any way guarantee societal acceptance. Coming out the closet has been made smoother not easier.

What is it about sex that makes the world curl up? Well, not the entire world, but most parts. Sex is a taboo. A 'dont say the word' topic. Something you cringe at and in India, if you find someone talking about it..you normally say 'dirty mind' in a way to suggest as if that concept or thought has never occurred to anyone. We feel cities are different....people are more forward and open. Not true. That is 0.15% of the population, roughly. Most people are uncomfortable talking about sex or sexuality. Tell me, how can you talk about the population of a country without connoting sex? How can you go up to someone and ask in casual conversation, "aur aapke bacche kitne hai?" without acknowledging the act that went behind making them.

Practically and logically speaking, why should anyone have a problem with what people do behind closed doors, as long as there are two consenting adults? Its none of my business. Why should i be the judge, who am i to say what he ought to do and what not. Why should it concern me? Do i hear, "This is not Indian Culture?" "Yeh hamari sanskriti aur sabhyata ke khilaaf hai?" I don't know when was it that we turned away from Kama Sutra!!

Preeti suffers everyday. Stuck in a marriage with a man she does not love. Stealing glances at the woman who comes and buys vegetables at the same bhajiwala. Feeling the excitement but going back to a forced, closed life. Vijay the local newspaper seller in Lucknow has his escapades with men. But knows his family is searching for a suitable bride and expect him to be a responsible family man and grant a heir to the family. I dont know how the new law will help preeti and vijay come out of their suffereing. But yes a lot of preeti's and vijay's will find the courage, will stand up and smile. Times they are a changing.