05 July,2011 06:45 AM IST | | Shashank Shekhar
LGBT community terms Ghulam Nabi Azad ignorant after his statement on monday that men having sex with men is not only a 'disease' but is also 'unnatural'
Finally, Baba Ramdev's views have been endorsed by the government. No, we aren't talking about corruption or black money. Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is now facing flak from LGBT rights activists after he reportedly said: "Homosexuality is a disease, it is unnatural." LGBT right activists are condemning his statement and want the health minister to read about the subject and update himself.
Spreading the word: A moment captured on July 2, during celebrations
by Delhi's LGBT community, to mark the anniversary of Delhi High
Court decriminalising homosexuality in 2009. File pic
Oops!
"Men having sex with men is not only a disease but it is also unnatural," Azad said on Monday. "The disease of MSM is unnatural and not good for India. We are not able to identify where it is happening as itu00a0 is less reported also," he maintained at the national convention of zila parishad chairpersons and mayors on HIV/AIDS. Calling his comment 'rubbish' LGBT activist and event organiser Manish Sharma said, "Our health minister should speak to a doctor and read about it before passing such comment. This is absolutely rubbish to say homosexuality is a disease as it is a natural phenomenon."
Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
'Shocking'
Reacting to Azad's statement actress Celina Jaitley, who has been an ardent supporter of the causes of LGBT community, said: "It is indeed shocking for me to hear that our health minister would make such an undemocratic statement. Everybody is entitled to an opinion as long as it does not diminish the human rights of a person's individuality.
Celebrations at Jantar Mantar on Saturday marking the Delhi High
Court's judgement decriminalising homosexuality in 2009. Pics/Mid Day
Just for the information of the honourable health minister the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of diseases in 1990. It was removed from the ICD-10, endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly on May 17, 1990. Also according to medical fraternity a person should not be said to have a disease or illness unless the person's actions substantially impair their ability to function in their work or personal life. If this statement has truly been made then it should be immediately retracted as it is of a regressive nature violating the democratic and human rights of a minority."
"I really blame Ghulamji's ignorance about the matter and his decision to make speeches about homosexuality without knowing the first thing about homosexuality," said Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, India's first openly gay prince.
'Not a disease'
"Our health minister should catch up on his basic science of the human body. Almost 50 years ago American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association, with almost every psychological association worth its salt, has proved beyond doubt that Homosexuality is not a disease of any sort, mental or physical. It is specifically because of ignorant people like our health minister that we haven't been able to fight the dragon of HIV," said Deepak Kashyap, a counselling psychologist.
Voices
Celina Jaitley, Actor
It is indeed shocking for me to hear that our health minister would make such an undemocratic statement. If this statement has truly been made then it should be immediately retracted as it is of a regressive nature violating the democratic and human rights of a minority.
Manvendra Singh Gohil, India's first openly gay royalty
I really blame Ghulamji's ignorance about the matter and his decision to make speeches about homosexuality without knowing the first thing about homosexuality.
