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ShareMumbai: Sexual acts between persons of the same sex have been legal nationwide in the United States since 2003. Six states have legalised same-sex marriage in the US.
Gay couples in Norway were granted the same rights as heterosexuals to marry, adopt and undergo artificial insemination under a new equality law passed in June 2008.
Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Cyprus are the only countries in the Middle East where homosexuality between consenting adults in private is not illegal and homosexuals are not persecuted under law.
Counselling must for kids who are 'different'
Accepting that their child is "different" is as difficult for parents as it is for a child to confess his/her sexual orientation. Parents often experience a mix of emotions -- from confusion, anger and helplessness, to fear, anxiety and concern.
"All these feelings are natural. But it is also important to understand that the child has also dealt with all these feelings before coming to the conclusion that he/she is gay or lesbian," psychiatrist Dr Ajay Shah said.
Psychiatrists said an individual cannot choose his sexual orientation. It is likely to be the result of several factors, including genetic, hormonal, and environmental. Homosexuality is not a mental or physical illness. It is not something that can be "cured". And yet, psychiatrists report that they see at least five parents bringing their children for "treatment" every month.
"A homosexual has come to terms with his/her sexual feelings. The idea is to relieve feelings of guilt, self-hatred and anxiety," counsellor Vibha Taneja said. "Parents should not subject the child to further rejection, as that will lead to adverse reactions such as self-destructive behaviour," Taneja said.
'Gays are also human'
Here are some reactions to the Delhi High Court verdict on
gaybombay.org
Are we going to ask for gay marriage now? One step at a time! First we needed the law to stop treating us like criminals. Now that the court has made its decision on that, we can start thinking about other changes we would like. Marriage is a union of two individuals. Gays are also human, we die, too, we need a companion, we love to adopt children and we have breakups too.
