This blog post is a letter sent to this blog by Sreekishen
Nair. Hindu Blog strongly believes that sexual minorities have a right to
exist respectfully and freely in the Hindu society and therefore we are
publishing this wonderful information provided by Sreekishen Nair. Republishing this article on the momentous occasion when Supreme Court of India has decriminalised homosexual sex in India (September 6, 2018).
"Criminalising carnal intercourse under section 377 Indian penal code is irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary,” said the chief justice, Dipak Misra.
"Criminalising carnal intercourse under section 377 Indian penal code is irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary,” said the chief justice, Dipak Misra.
India has one of the largest population of Gay people in the world. There is nothing in Hindu scriptures that bars Gay Relationship.
Despite vocal animosity in India against gays, as a Hindu I prefer to ‘stay with the ship’ of my own religious background, mainly because I do Love so much about Hinduism. But also, in part to remind other Hindus that we gay Hindus DO exist, and that we have existed for centuries.
More importantly, I do feel that there are many venues within the Hindu universe which happily accommodate gay people.
For example, the legendary births of deities like Ayyappan, or heroes like
Additionally, gay people have always played important ceremonial roles in the traditions of deities like Angala Parameshwari, Bahuchariamma, Mariyamma, Vadaku Vasal Celliyamma and Bhadra Kaali Amman. In fact, many of the small, wayside temples for these Goddesses have Pujaris that are either Transgender or Gay.
The seasonal festival of Lord Kuthandavar-Aravan in the town of
In sharp contrast even to the more worldly people in
But the facts remain the same. Like so many other existential realizations, the gay experience is embedded in our stories, our art and in our theological frameworks. Hinduism encompasses many viewpoints: vegetarian, meat-eating, pastoral, urban, forest-dwelling, polytheistic, monotheistic, pantheistic, atheistic, domestic, itinerant, sexually-indulgent, celibate, contemplative, Dionysian, asexual, heterosexual, and yes, EVEN homosexual.
How can it be otherwise?
Written by Sreekishen Nair