Posted By Hanna C. Trudo Share

Gay sex is a touchy subject in India. A 148-year-old colonial law, overturned by the Delhi high court in 2009, deemed same-sex relationships as "unnatural offenses". For over a century, Indians have been wrestling with what's considered "natural" versus "unnatural" by the government, and after a recent slip of the tongue by Senior Supreme Court Advocate PP Malhotra, the confusion is understandable.

Conservative groups have asked India's Supreme Court to overturn the Delhi court's decision and on Thursday, Malhotra, who gives legal positions on behalf of the government told the justices that gay sex should be banned as it is "highly immoral and against social order and there is high chance of spreading of diseases through such acts." India should not succumb to Western sexual practices, Malhotra's said, and those who do should be subject to imprisonment. (Under the previous legislation homosexual acts received up to a 10-year prison sentence).

Coming from a highly-ranked government official, the statements provoked an uproar. But the home ministry quickly denied that any request calling for a new homosexuality ban had been made, said that it would not challenge the 2009 decision, and issued a statement saying that the ministry "has not taken any position on homosexuality."  Television reports later suggested that Mahotra was confused and was referring to an older government opinion.

After the judgment decriminalizing homosexuality was delivered by the Deli High Court in 2009, the cabinet decided that "the government may not appeal against the judgment to the Supreme Court."  The Guardian reports that, "While actual criminal prosecutions are few, the law has been used frequently to harass people."

The Supreme Court's next hearing, which will take place on Feb. 28, will decide the fate of the 2009 judgment, and, inevitably, the fates of those whose lives the law has impacted. Hopefully, the Home Office can figure out its opinion on the subject by then.

MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images

EXPLORE:HUMAN RIGHTS, INDIA
 

MAGENTOC

11:49 PM ET

February 24, 2012

There is thin line between

There is thin line between what's right and wrong.. lots of factors to be kept in mind from both the sides.. keeping in mind for social order to the growing large community of the same... let's see what next hearing coming out from supreme court...

John
http://www.magento-templates.in

 

AGENDA SOFTWARE

4:00 PM ET

February 26, 2012

FIRST it was the fault of the

FIRST it was the fault of the news media, then of his coalition partners, but now Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is blaming someone else for his government's inability to carry out planned projects.

On Friday, Dr Singh raised the Cold War-era bogy of the ''foreign hand'', accusing US and Scandinavian non-government organisations of stalling the commissioning of a nuclear power plant in southern India and delaying implementation of government plans to commercialise genetically modified crops by supporting protest groups.

His comments attracted a barrage of criticism.

In a front-page story, India's Mail Today newspaper accused the soft-spoken and mild-mannered Dr Singh of emulating Indira Gandhi, referring to the former prime minister who ''used to conveniently blame the 'foreign hand' for all the ills plaguing her government'' in the 1970s.

More below The business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be tellingThe business newspaper Mint said in an editorial that Dr Singh's statement was ''indicative of the deep crisis of governance facing India today''. Instead of blaming other people, it said, Dr Singh should engage members of the opposition and persuade them to co-operate on important projects.

In an interview with Science magazine that was published last week, Dr Singh said the proposed Kudankulam nuclear plant site in the southern state of Tamil Nadu ''has got into difficulties because of these NGOs, mostly I think based in the United States, who don't appreciate the need for our country to increase the energy supply''.

Dr Singh's words appear out of character for agenda software , and Microsoft project 2010 the bookish economist, who is not known for promoting conspiracy theories.

But the pressures of office, along with persistent criticism of his government's policy paralysis and alleged corruption, may be telling

 

ALI JUTT

4:39 PM ET

March 4, 2012

awsome

The rainbow flag will, for the first time, fly over Tacoma City Hall.

It will be raised at 4 p.m. Thursday, stay up through July 16 and help mark Pride Every Day in Tacoma, 10 days honoring the courage and contributions of the LGBTQ community.

This will be a week for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer to be open about who they are. It will be a week for straight people to talk with, have fun with and learn more from our brothers and sisters.

It will be a time for films, conversations about banned books, faith and sexuality, and Out in the Park, a street party and barbecue. It is, said Benjii Bittle, “The only Pride celebration of its kind – anywhere.”

And then there’s that rainbow flag.

“It is the first time on a flag pole that the city of Tacoma has celebrated this community,” said Ryan Mello, who is gay and fills the at-large position on the Tacoma City Council.

Mello, 32, and Bittle, 42, point out that the flag will fly in a place used to honor and celebrate causes such as remembering missing soldiers and prisoners of war and heralding Tacoma’s Tree City status.

It will not displace or dishonor the American flag flying above City Hall. It, and a flag raised Saturday at the Tacoma Dome for Out in the Park, will be in compliance with the U.S. Flag Code.

Members of the LGTBQ community have made, and are making, contributions to Tacoma, whether or not they have revealed their sexual orientation. Coming out can get you kicked out of your family, dropped by friends, shunned at church and marginalized at work.

Being open, and being a force for good in the community, is one way to change that over time.

“Tacoma is a very pragmatic town,” Bittle said. “You don’t do anything in Tacoma by yourself. It’s hard to build any coalition without gays and lesbians. We started to see people being visible and part of Tacoma.”

That visibility doesn’t diminish the progress made by people who have acted outrageously or stayed in the closet, said Laurie Jinkins, 46, a state House District 27 representative. She’s also deputy director of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, and a mom.

Early gay rights and anti-AIDS activists sometimes made their points with a flamboyance that brought needed attention to their causes.

In 1990, 70 percent of Tacoma voters squashed an anti-discrimination ordinance.

Time and work have changed attitudes and created a less punishing environment, Pride backers say.

“We are talking about being at the table, just as we are,” said Rainbow Center director, restaurateur and self-described queer Michelle Douglas, 40. “We’re everywhere.”

“By no means is the work over,” said Mello, conservation director for the Cascade Land Conservancy. “Nothing is guaranteed in civil rights.”

Or homes. Or casual communities.

This year, three LGBTQ young people have faced more rejection than they could bear and killed themselves, said Seth Kirby, 33, the director of Oasis Youth Center and a transgender man.

Marcus Crowell, 22, had a much better outcome. He relied on Oasis while making the decision to come out to his family six months ago.

“My family was warm and accepting,” Crowell said. “They knew all along and were just waiting for me to be comfortable.”

By contrast, Bittle hasn’t seen his family for decades. When their church’s interventions couldn’t make him “normal,” his parents kicked him out. He was 16.

He made his own way through high school and college, and works as deputy executive director of the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts.

At Oasis, Kirby’s job is to help young people live through the rotten stuff and become happy people.

There are lots of allies: The kids who don’t care about a friend’s sexuality. The congregation that welcomes all who want to join. The straight people who helped make the rainbow ribbon streamers hanging throughout the Theater District Thursday-July 16 for Pride Every Day in Tacoma.

And of course, the people who will gather Thursday in Ledger Square at Seventh Street and St. Helens Avenue to applaud the raising of the rainbow flag.

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MAXIMB

12:48 PM ET

March 19, 2012

I think he is riding this

I think he is riding this America's Mayor thing as far as he can. If 9/11 never happened, he would not have received as much exposure and might be running for senator, as would be a logical next step, rather than president. And I think that is shameful, as is any politician who uses this tragedy, which I watched from my window, to their advantage. Many "less well off" New Yorkers remember him as a brutal mayor who was extrememly racist and caused much suffering. I do not think he is qualified, and the very fact that he is milking the suffering of the 9/11 families out to be some sort of crime..

"Is rio orange war always forfait mobile blackberry inevitable ?"
MaximB

 

MAXIMB

8:08 AM ET

March 22, 2012

Happens all the time with

Happens all the time with foreign trade. Think tariffs, as an example. We let some goods in, we keep some out, we let some in only with a certain fee. Why do you think that is? We want to protect the interests of our producers while balancing consumer interests. Automobiles is a great example..

"Is rio orange war always forfait sosh inevitable ?"
MaximB

 

MAXIMB

9:57 PM ET

March 22, 2012

I think McCain would hand you

I think McCain would hand you your rear end if you wanted to talk foreign policy w/ him. I think he is the most qualified of the three to become president..

"Is rio orange war always forfait sms illimite inevitable ?"
MaximB

 

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