Issues of Concern – August 2015
Editorial
It is estimated that about 4 - 10% of the world population identify themselves with the labels Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender. Many of these individuals feel little or no choice their about gender identity or sexual preference and the same has been indicated by multiple studies which also show that these attributes are determined in large part by biological processes that are already underway before birth, based on genetics or early uterine environment among other factors. With increased understanding of these factors, homosexuality - which had incorrectly been listed as a mental illness in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) issued by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) - was removed from the DSM partially in 1973 and later completely in 1986.
An interview with Dr. Karthik Bittu
Concern interviewed Dr. Karthik Bittu, currently a faculty member at University of Hyderabad. He completed his PhD from Harvard University and post-doctoral research at Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc Bangalore. Bittu has been active in the struggle for equal rights of individuals from the Hijra, Kothi, and LGBMTI communities. In January 2014, he had been part of a panel discussion organized by Concern on IPC 377 - Judgement, Sexuality and Gender. Bittu loves music, forests and good food.
Struggle for LGBT Freedom and Acceptance
Almost two months ago, on 26^th June, United States of America became the 21^st country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. It was also the 5th country following Finland, Slovenia, The Republic of Ireland and Mexico, in year 2015 that has legalized same-sex marriages. This was followed by a worldwide jubilation (primarily online), where the general public and an array of multinational companies and NGOs added a rainbow filter to their profile pictures and company logos. Within the Indian online LGBT fora it raked up, once again, the discussion and campaign against section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which criminalizes ‘unnatural sex’ - and was upheld as constitutional by the Supreme Court of India in December 2013.
What does it mean to be gay?
An anonymous IISc student writes about their personal experience of being a homosexual.