‘Casual partners lead to dangerous situations’

Indian society, it would seem, is still not prepared to accept the presence of homosexuals. Although people in general have become more tolerant over the last 10 years, we still have a long way to go.

Gays are forced to live secret lives, and it is often dangerous for them to come out into the open with their sexual orientation.

Like many heterosexuals, gay men usually go through dedicated websites or join gay clubs. Finding a committed partner is often impossible, and gay men sometimes end up marrying women out of familial pressure.

“A lot of homosexuals still live in the closet. They have a lot of casual partners, and end up in dangerous situations,” said Ankur Shrivastava, research scholar, Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Shrivastava is open about his homosexuality and also works with an NGO to help the gay community.

“One should always do a background check on one’s prospective partner, as we have come across incidents where the casual partner ends up beating and looting the other person. The victims keep mum as they don’t want to come into open,” said Shrivastava.
 
“There are reliable websites where you can go and verify details about your partner. We also organise events where people meet and find their partners,” concluded Shrivastava.