We all know about the infamous term “chakka”, having been called or be the one to call--- the term, considered ultra offensive today, has come to mean 'ladyboy'. A man who shows effeminate qualities, if we consider the toxic masculinity we associate with being a man these days. Now take a moment and think of how you'd feel if any of your characteristics- which are a part of you, intrinsically- is used as an insult. Instead of being a part of you, it is seen as a disease, a craziness, or rebellion. And that no one understands that you cannot do anything about it. That it is what it means to be you. Homophobia- almost always followed by heterosexism- is a belief that being in a relationship with, or being attracted to people of the same gender is somehow unnatural or fake. Complimentary to heterosexism, which believes that a man-woman relationship is the only form of love and attraction, it is a term used to describe the irrational fear that people being attracted to the same gender are somehow a 'threat' to humanity. In a country like India, where the mere mention of 'sex', 'periods', or 'sexuality' gives people indigestion, we cannot attempt to destigmatize something we don't talk about. We cannot, thus, do anything about the slurred insults among peers at best and discrimination and violence against people belonging to the LGBT community at its worst. But, back to what forms of homophobia takes place everywhere around us. People who do gather the courage to come out are often subjected to mental or physical abuse. More than 78% of women are forcefully married or raped, for them to be 'normalized'. Men, women, and teenagers are sent to oppressive and repugnant ashrams to 'cure' homosexuality out of them. Family members are disowned, which is why so many people don’t come out as what they are. Decriminalization of Section 377 has been one necessary step that needed to be taken- but unless the caricature of homosexuality is cleared in the minds of people, unless our children are made aware of how love is love, regardless of differences between people involved, we cannot expect anything other than big words and forced repressions. Homophobia-if noticed, or even talked about- is often justified by how unnatural it is. Young adults torn in turmoil are told that it's just their fantasy or curiosity. That it's a phase, they're confused, it'll pass, it's fake.. anything other than saying that it could be tried. Adults are stigmatized on how 'sinning' it all is, or to the 'shameless' extent to which their desires can go. What we don't realize in the hate we spread- from talks that can clearly be labeled as trans and homophobic to the general lack of concern towards any of it- is that freedom to love is integral to human rights. That it is an important part of people's identity and happiness. That it is not something that can be 'faked', 'controlled' or 'cured'. Just like any other humans, people of the LGBT community can love. To treat them anything less than humans- which is what homophobia comes down to- just enunciates how warped our definition of humanity is.
- Anonymous
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