Re: IIT-Hyderabad sacks gay rights activist Tellis

[Guest guest]

Dear Readers,

/message/11599

Well who is surprised about reactionary behaviour like this in an institute of

higher learning in India.

With more that 200 million same sex attracted Indians either living in India or

already relocated into the wider diaspora one would have expected an Institute

of Higher Learning to be up to date on the issues of sexual orientation and the

reality of same in a predominately hetero-normative society.

There are no reliable stats of hetero married men who have sex with men (MSM)

but I personally know of 100's.

The reality is of course that removing Tutors who already know about gender

issues is not going to change the phenomenon or the frequency of same sex

orientation.

It might have been some help in saving the many young Indians who have suicided

or been found lying dead in a ditch after having been beaten to death for being

gay lesbian or bisexual, a condition that should be understood as neither a

choice nor contagious.

The one reality I found visiting Indian Museums is that the intellectual

homophobia did not always exist.

Please read these words written around 15th August 1947:

" At the time of growing communal and caste conflicts, it becomes

significant to remind us that the people who laid the foundation of free India

has always dreamt of an integrated nation. Hence, it is our duty to live and

sustain their dreams, the sole reason for which Independence Day in India is

observed.

It is a day to pay a mark of respect to our saviors because of whom we are

breathing an air of freedom which does not have the elements of exploitation and

repression. "

The hierarchy of the IIT-H would do well to remember all the reasons for

independence and not just those that they choose.

India once totally embraced gender difference. There is enough historical

evidence available to those who live with open minds.

Geoffrey

--

Geoff Heaviside

e-mail: <geofheav@...>