No Gays in India -- Just Lots of Gay Sex

Warning: As you might have gathered, this particular post has little if anything to do with yoga, or alcoholism, or Sri. K Pattabhi Jois!

I had lunch today with a fellow gay ashtangi, and so the topic came up. What is going on with all these Indian guys holding hands in the street, or walking arm-in-arm? You see them everywhere you look. I even saw a guy sitting in another guy’s lap, while the two caressed each other, right beside Sayaji Rao Road (one of the main streets). I had heard that male-to-male sex is rampant in India, but my friend was incredulous. So after lunch, I decided to find out. Not by actual empirical research, of course. That theoretically could land me in jail for life, under an old, obscure and hardly ever enforced, British-imposed statute against “unnatural acts.” Rather than take a chance, I went to the internet.

After reading several serious-looking university papers and public surveys, here is my summary of what was reported:

In part because pre-marital sexual contact between men and women is taboo, and also because sex in the usual arranged marriage often is not considered fun or even sex, but instead is viewed as a duty or even work, it is common and socially accepted for men to have sex with each other, especially young men. It is socially accepted because it is not considered sex at all, but rather, “maasti,” which means mischief or play. In his article, "A Tour Beyond the Taj Mahal," Paul Knox wrote, "In India, same-sex behavior runs a close second to cricket as the national pastime." (I asked a local about this, and he said "it's not true," with a nervous laugh.)

Although most of this “play” reportedly is done among friends and relatives, there are also cruising areas, often in parks, secluded lanes, or public restrooms, where men and boys of all castes and backgrounds go to find sexual partners. However, because police also go there, and frequently rape or extort money from the cruisers (how charming!), increasingly the internet is the place for strangers to hook up. For example, I checked the man-to-man chat room on the India Times web site, and saw that there were 79 guys on-line in that particular room, looking for partners. Every few seconds or so, a couple of guys would agree to meet and then sign off.

(Sorry I have nothing to report about lesbians -- perhaps a lesbian will post comment and educate us!)

Despite all this, except perhaps to gays themselves, the concept of homosexuality, in the sense of there being a group of persons who only sleep with others of the same sex, is perceived by most people here as alien – something that goes on in foreign countries, or on other planets.

Here is an example. Some of the teenage and college-age boys in my neighborhood have been hanging around my house, asking a lot of questions about sex in America. They are absorbed with the fact that I am not married, yet live with two women. They are even more fascinated that I am not romantically involved with either of these very attractive women, or any women at all. After extensive questioning by one guy in his early twenties, I finally blurted out: “I’’m gay.” He was taken aback. He had read about gay people in newspapers, but had never met one, or even seen a picture of one. He did not seem at all upset about my revelation. Far from it. He seemed quite happy and intrigued with this new information, as if I had just told him I was the Majority Leader of the United States Senate. He wanted to know all about the subject, including details about me and my previous boyfriends, and details that even I, the blogger, was too shy to discuss.

Outside later that night, after most of the mosquitoes had either died or went inside for their prey, I saw him at the front gate of his house, holding forth with a bunch of the neighborhood boys who were gathered around him, listening eagerly. When I woke up the next morning for class, I turned on my computer and saw an email greeting to me from one of the most handsome, smartest and popular of them -- one of those who have been hanging around my house. He said, among other things: “My 'friend,' I will do anything to put a smile on your face. You are cool!” Hmmm.

Comments

[mani]

the site is good. I am a lonely guy looking for good gays for fun.

[sathish]

you r nice you r advised to contact Dr. Rajashekar, Maharaj College, Mysore for further assistence

[vijay]

Mysore is a nice place 2 hang around,it will satisfy ur appitite ...
2 get an hot,spicy fun with me u can catch me in [email protected]

hay i am 23 ofcourse with huge appitite 4 meat!!!!

[frank]

Love your diary of Mysore and the yoga ashram. I live in Vancouver and have been in Mysore several times but only for a few days at a time. In November I go back to India and wish to investigate Mysore for a much longer period.I am 71 and gay and wonder if you could recomend someone to assist me in getting a place to stay etc. Do you think I am too old to take up ashtanga yoga?

[Asish]

I really don't agree with your view. India is a heaven for gay sex. It is plentifully available & getting rapid acceptabilty.

[typing]

hi this is nice great artical its infomative .
its cool ..
take your time to read my link ..
and yes i do have my pic .. pleas follow my link ull know lot about me .. yes even iam meeting many guys on net .. its intestting speicaly for me to meet many gays all around the world from different profeshion. its amazing .. i nkow for u its different in INDIA ..
i always think about india .. its all about young guys need to get close friends ... its all about a friend need to creat trust in their parents heart .. thats true . so that they can go out and move out and hang out .. most of the young guys are so much trapped in their house by dominating parents .. i know its nice but i feel parents need to trust them ... i wonder its hard for gay guys to socalise with each othere . as they are from different profeshion ... i always wish and look foward how wil they try to connect or try to interact or socalise some friendly safe place .. finaly its all about not fucking or sex .. how will they try to start showing love .. as many dont do it ... its important to express and to let out the fear ..... as its to show u rnot toing to end up in bed . and fianly the one u r taking about the sex thing do they have safe sex .. they are so much wrapped up in their fear ...i alays anasye many thing how people socalise .. watching cricket gathering .. or birthday party .. or treats .. what is the most easy gathering ... having cup of tea ... its all ok for mature guys ... real young guys in their teens most of them i dont think so they are earning if they are busey in their studies .. they dont earn much .. so they are financial dependent on their parents ..

[Tommy]

Hello! I am posting because just recently I have developed a huge crush on a particular guy named Lakhbir in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I frequent the store he works at and it was an instant attraction for me. He informed me that he is from India. We get along pretty well. We talk about a lot, until he gets busy or an employee comes around, then he changes. He also asks me if I am married or have a girlfriend...every time I go in his store! Should I just tell him I am gay and that I have a huge crush on him? Help! Thank you!

[Lizzie]

Hello , my name is Lizzie and I am sophomore at Ithaca College. For one of my final project I am constructing a blog on the growing homosexuality right movement in India. Although there is not much infomation of my findings available now I encourage anyone who could possibly aid my research in posting on my blog http://globalflowofinfomationfall2004.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for your time

[G]

Wow...Im bisexual but was surprised to see so many gays in Mysore as i myself am from Mysore. Anyways, its nice to know that the Indian society is getting more tolerant and open to different sexual attitudes. Way to go!!!!

[shiv]

namaste- i go to india on pilgimage every winter & there are lots of gay men & men who are interested enough to try it everywhere. once the subject is brought up - i found most men were very willing & friendly about it- from yogis to policemen.

[srinath]

give advice to gays not to have it too often and let them involve in othere good activites.
srinath

[Miles]

I am a nice guy from New York coming to India on April 25. I will be traveling with a friend. Looking for someone to help guide us and have a fun time. You will not be let down. My friend a little consevative. But not me, if you get what I mean. See you soon. Peace

[Adrigo Gallus]

Sweet little India... thats some wild shit yo!

[arun]

hi,
Very nice article.. congrats... i am a gay from delhi.. and i am working here for a call centre here... nice to have a good chat here... mail me for any help.. with pure and true luv,
Arun

[Sridev]

Don't be surprised that there are gays in Mysore. Gay people are everywhere many are not able to be explicit about it because they fear reprisal and loss of family and friends. You will many times be surprised at who is gay, many never act out or are extremely sectretive with their sexual activites. I don't know what else to say except do not be fooled by religious leaders or govt. officials who say being Gay is a disease, unnatural, or something brought by foreigners. Sexuality is not a preference you are born the way you are.

[mystiqe]

teen here in kuwait,prfr teen bi or gay,[email protected]

[Keshav]

I am a malayalee guy in Singapre. Wanna have some fun? Get back to me. ;)

[jknl]

jbh

[ahmed ibrahim]

those gyus in mysore who are good looking can have a good time with me..i have my place for fun..i love manly guys with good bodies..let me hear from you ...

[suman]

I am a Keralite, 42, working in Qatar, well educated and settled. Now i am very curious in gays. I visit kerala twice a year. I would like to meet young, cute guys between 18-25. My stts: Medium built, 5'8", 65kg, 32W, 7" cut tool. I will be in Kerala for a month from 15th June. Anyone interested, please mail me at [email protected]

[Kunal Nair]

I am a Gay malayalee in mumbai. Get back to me
for fun.

[email protected]

[sandesh]

Hi ! I am sandesh very smart white plane guy with black hair. i m 32yrs and bottom position. i want mens very smart straight nose and white skin with more hairs on body. They should be very clean and age betwen 33 to 50. I m here at pune if anybody is there contact me urgently.

[kondalarao]

i am 26 year old.bisexual from visakhapatnam.but interested in gay sex to the maximum.any muscular and hairy men between 30 to 50 years of age can contact me for long time sexual relation ship at [email protected]

[arun]

hi,
I am working for a call centre in delhi. Just went thro the article.. really good... its sad that most of them who look for care and luv dont get it in just a 5 minutes sex... its all just a way to show that I care that matters a lot...
If you are a person looking in for a good relationship and nice friendship i am there with you... get back to me in mail.. [email protected]
Let us make things better... i am very energetic and a eversmiling guy... basically from south.. like extensive traveling and live life for today.. you cld also pm me so that we cld hang around together.. so wat are you waiting for.. mail me...
With pure and true luv
arun

[joy]

i am 27 years old guy from trivandrum,looking decent relationship from matured gays.any one interested please email me in [email protected]