INDIA is in the news again, for the wrong reason. On Monday, Indian health minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, announced to a conference on HIV/AIDS full of people in Delhi that gay sex was “unnatural” and that homosexuality “is a disease which has come from other countries.” (And at no point did some clever organizer think to cut off his microphone feed.) There was more, but since it’s been plastered all over CNN, The New York Times, the Guardian, and more, I won’t repeat it here.
Bring to mind a certain comment by Commonwealth Games official Lalit Bhanot about the appalling state of the athletes’ village that the New Zealand team encountered? Bhanot told a group of Indian reporters, “These rooms are clean to both you and us.” Foreigners “want certain standards in hygiene and cleanliness which may differ from our perception.” Someone really needs to invent a cure to the foot-in-mouth disease.
Meanwhile, here are some photographs I took at the gay pride parade two weekends ago, two days after the historic decision to legalize same-sex marriage in New York on June 24.
Tossing the rainbow ball with spectators
Spreading his wings
Shut up and bounce!
Proposing to 15th Street, but there were no takers!
A shock of red feathers
The desi contingent, rocking it to Sheila ki Jawani
The come hither move
This sign was one of my favorites!
Meanwhile, since the day the new law takes effect, July 24, is a Sunday, the city will keep offices open so that gay couples can get married that very day. I can’t think of a better reason to work all weekend!
p.s. My friend Shaunak, who runs a photo blog, was also at the pride march. See his pictures here.
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Wow. Can’t believe the health minister of all people would say something like this in a public gathering.Simply unpardonable.
I like the juxtaposition of the prejudiced comment and photos from the gay pride parade.
Thanks Rachana!