gay in Goa an issue?

stoosh

Hi, not sure if this is the appropriate place to put this question but...
I am thinking of basing myself in India from the end of this year. Ive been once before for a short time ( 4 months) and want to move to Goa. I am currently trying to persuade my partner of 12 years to follow suit. Is it likely that being gay would be a problem? Im not talking about public displays of affection cos I dont really go in for those anyway - more would this cause any problems if I was staying in one place for a long time and it became known? Have heard stories of people being blackmailed! Dont know whether Im being paranoid or naive?! Any comments much appreciated.

soulstation

Look, two ppl can stay together and get on with their lives without any probs whatsoever. However, the prob starts when you want to mix into mainstream society by labelling urself as 'gay'. You want acceptability as 'gay'.

If ur publicly open being a gay cpl then you may not find acceptability in mainstream Indian society. However, if you project urself as 'friends' staying together, there won't be any problem. But the moment u mention 'gay' it may lead to very uncomfortable situations. So here, the catch is to adjust to the existing social ecosystem and go abut ur own way. This is fine in metros like Delhi/Bombay/B'lore...Goa I guess is very open and liberal. So, there shouldn't be any problem.

Be warned, however, when you would like to take a package tour for a couple; there could be instances where the hotel would say 'couple' means 'man' and 'woman'. Also, entry to discos or parties labelled 'couple entry' wuld strictly adhere to this 'man/woman' equation. That doesnt mean that there aren't gay couples in India...but they go on without worrying too much abut it!!!

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stoosh

Thanks for your comments. What you describe is exactly what i want to do. Im not talking about shouting it from the rooftops and I have no problem with subtlety - but i also dont want to have to lie all the time. I guess balance is the key.

Layman

Its not that there aren't gays in India, but be aware that it is an offence under the Indian Penal Code. You would not want to advertise the fact that you are gay while in India. The rule was introducted by the British (what irony, eh!) in the 19th century and is still on the books.

monkgonemad

as long as youre not having sex on the beach or kissing -which we not be appropriate for even hetros - why would it matter?!

further, many men/women of same sex walk about w/ arms all over one another. its more 'normal' than m-f.

so have fun! but NO affection.

stoosh

Thanks both of you for your input. Yes -it is ironic the at the British introduced it. I wonder if they introduced it in the same way as it was put in England - ie not illegal for females as Queen Victoria didnt believe it was possible! As I said - I have no problem with subtlety...but its worth knowing the legal side of things. Cheers.

Nick-H

If queen Victoria had believed it possible she would probably have tried it!

...She was, apparently, not at all prudish in the bedroom, despite the culture those times gave birth to.

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allaboutmumbai

if i am not mistaken, there is no explicit law against homosexuality in india right?
however there is a law against sodomy..
which is often interpreted as law against homosexuality..

is that correct?

iyou

precisely.

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crvlvr

The laws should be the least of anyones worry, as the mob usually decides to punish what they think is wrong.

Indians are generally tolerant of diversity. But there are public decency standards may vary from country to country (and in India from city to the next) and tourists should be sensitive to that. Something that is completely normal in Goa might be considered "risque" in say Chennai. The same applies in most other countries. In the USA, being gay in San Francisco may be "more normal" than say in the bible belt.

My suggestion, kepp in under wraps. Don't even talk to anybody about your sexual orientation. Good Luck..

sticky

Then she would be a Queen in every sense of the word

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Tigr

My mom rents her apartment in mumbai to a gay couple (male) from Britain. They spend a lot of time in goa. I am sure they would know about the gay lifestyle in Goa.

The first guy rented a room for two years...and then eventually rented the whole house and brought his companion over from UK...so the scene must be quite tolerant

Layman

Yes, I believe the law is against unnatural sexual acts, including sodomy. In theory, oral/anal s** between heteros could also be termed unnatural.
I am not sure if it is being actively enforced, since you would have to prove that someone indulged in an unnatural sexual act, not just that they are of a particular orientation.

Peyompian

Of course sodomy laws are not enforced.

desertrose2005

young educated indians living in delhi or bombay ,so called metro cities of india usualy these people have no problems with the gay people ,i m running a gay friendly option of accomdation /tours for a while now and met many gay people travelling in india and most of them spend there time in goa and and discusing about there travelling experiaqnces all of said they usualy have had no problem being gay in india , untill one goes cruising on the streets and parks.