'I'm gay and proud of it'

Finding support from their parents, an increasing number of homosexuals in the city are coming out in the open

I'd rather be black than gay because when you're black you don't have to tell your mother.u00a0
u2014 Charles Pierce, 1980

Twenty-nine years after Charles Pierce expressed apprehensions of discussing one's sexual orientation with parents, there has been a drastic change in peoples' attitudes.

Buoyed by the Delhi High Court's judgment to amend Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalised consensual sex between adults of the same sex, homosexuals are coming out in the open and are increasingly finding support from parents.

No stigma
Sexologists and counsellors in Pune say homosexuals have convinced their parents there is no stigma attached in being gay. Sexologist Dr Shashank Samak told MiD DAY, "So far, I have counselled eight homosexuals individually this year. Six others came with their parents. The numbers are almost twice the figure last year.

Three parents told me that their sons lived abroad and had same-sex partners. This is a very positive sign. It means slowly but surely there is acceptance for homosexuals."

According to Dr Sudhakar More, consulting sexologist, "Young people are coming out of the closet these days. And it is heartening to see that their parents are accepting them."
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Added Dr Leena Mohadikar, a consulting sexologist, "I have consulted approximately 20 gay youngsters this year and eight had brought their parents with them. The youngsters seem more comfortable to discuss issues with doctors and sexologists."
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Amit Jain (name changed) found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that his gay son does not want to get married.

Apprehensions
Bindumadhav Khire, head of Samapathik, an organisation which works for the cause of homosexuals, said, "Homosexuality is not a sin and we may be able to convince this to society with the changing times." Nirmala Samant, president, Women's Network, an NGO, said, "There are over 100 gay couples in Pune. She is doing an in-depth survey on gays and lesbians which is expected to be published next year."