India Gets Its First Official Gay Club

CHENNAI, INDIA - It's a movement that's beginning to create ripples across the globe.
The gay movement has also been active in India, though at a much discreet and subtle level as homosexuality as a phenomenon is frowned-upon by the Indian society.
However, in a departure from the stereotypes, gays in Chennai have formed the first ever gay-club to be officially registered - definitely a bold step in a society where homosexuals are shunned and homosexuality is legally a criminal offence.
The group is set up to alleviate social stigma attached to homosexuality, to help the gay community in times of injustice and to raise a voice against the unfair and ambiguous Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises homosexuality.
Chennai-based Vasu who has started the Men Community Development Society (MCDS) says he has no problems coming on camera on talking about the stigma attached to homosexuality and to share story of his friends who have had to face societal ostracisation.
"I meet someone at a cruising point, and am talking to him, getting to know him. Just then a policeman comes, finds condoms in my pocket. He asks for bribe, threatens us, and slaps a case on us," he says.
Officially, MCDS is just a week old, but for the pat six years, it has been a 300-strong group of friends helping each other out in tough times. They now expect about 7,000 more people to join them in Chennai.
"Police catches gay couples for no reason and the poor guys can't even call home. Our group will go over and release them in such times, Then, if someone is fired because of being gay, we meet the MD, and point out the legalities. Then, we counsel sex workers on STD, HIV and even rehabilitate them," Raja, amember of MCDS says.
Raja says that the group will be the support system for many homosexuals in the city.
He says they've decided raise a collective voice against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises homosexual acts. Though Raja knows it's a long shot, he even wishes he could get married to his partner.
"It'll be great if I can marry my partner. Even problems like HIV will go away. But even that partner should be loyal then it'll be all great!" he says.
from CNN-IBN