Culture Shock, Part 2

[letitbe]

This time, instead of covering a single issue, I would like to present a few largely unrelated observations about the Indian way of life.

Comments

homosexuality

[anhvaem]

is existed in even very remote part of asia. however it is just not spoken of and totally deviant to societies. 16 years ago when i was still in vietnam i already heard of homosexuality and have once or twice seen them.

Re: homosexuality

[letitbe]

Here, it is not only considered deviant, but is also illegal. Per section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, sodomy is still technically a criminal offense.

Re: homosexuality

[anhvaem]

thats no fun ;)

Re: homosexuality

[discordian]

It's ok, babe. He can get properly sodomized when he gets back home ;)

[mike_higher]

There are millions of gay men in India (given a population of a billion plus that's no big deal), and while we don't have big gay pride parades and all that, there is a fair amount of activism to try and get the awareness and acceptance. In Infosys as with other big IT names, official policy bans discrimination based on marital status & sexual orientation, but of course, in reality there is no way you can tlak about it openly and not get social backlashes. Traditional mindsets rule. India as such is a big 'Don't ask, Don't tell' world, and the companies are no different.

Sodomy laws are under review in India, and there is a case in the Delhi high court asking the relevant sections to be read down. (S 377) Also on the cards is a fuller review of all gender related laws, including rape. Currently only penile-vaginal rape is considered rape per the law books.

And PS: We do have social networks for gay men, and the occassional gay specific parties, events etc.

[mike_higher]

And PS: Hi! Lovely to read your posts on the cultural divide etc. Hope you have a good time at Infosys & India as a summer intern.