“The education of the child begins with conception. The physical and mental states of the parents at the moment of conception are reproduced in the baby. Then during the period of pregnancy it continues to be affected by the mother’s moods, desires and temperament, as also by her ways of life. After birth the child imitates the parents, and for a considerable number of years entirely depends on them for its growth.

The couple who realize these things will never have sexual union for the fulfillment of their lust, but only when they desire issue. I think it is the height of ignorance to believe that the sexual act is an independent function necessary like sleeping or eating. The world depends for its existence on the act of generation, and as the world is the play-ground of God and a reflection of His glory, the act of generation should be controlled for the ordered growth of the world. He who realizes this will control his lust at any cost, equip himself with the knowledge necessary for the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of his progeny, and give the benefit of that knowledge to posterity.”

–Mahatma Gandhi in his Autobiography,

“The Story of my Experiments with Truth.”

In a country already divided on the communal lines, there is a new divide. The divide on the basis of sexual-orientation. Homosexuals or Gays as they are popularly know, fighting for the right to have same-sex partners. But unlike other divides, this trespasses all religious boundaries. It has for once united people from different religion in what they call their “Fundamental Right” or a “Struggle for Social Equality.”

Delhi High court in a recent Landmark judgment with a far reaching outcome for the entire country, ordered the amendment of Section 377 of IPC – by decriminalizing private consensual sex between adults of the same sex.  But, is Homosexuality only a legal issue? What about social acceptance? Are we ready for a society were we say to our children “Mohan, they are Mr. and Mr. Verma’s Or say good evening to Mrs. and Mrs. Kapoor’s”? The bottom line simply being that, are we ready for a society were in our children are brought up to believe that a boy marrying a boy or a girl marrying a girl is natural?

Reacting to the Delhi High Court judgment, Archbishop of Karnataka, Fr Bernard Moras said “Homosexuality is animal behavior” further adding that “Anything that goes against Nature and divine Laws should not be encouraged.” Is Homosexuality an animal behavior? It is an undeniable fact that Homosexuality serves no purpose other than fulfilling ones carnal appetite. It does not in anyway help in procreation. Does that mean all heterosexual activity is aimed at procreation? Definitely not. How many people think of staring a family or continuing the generation as reason for sex? Not even 1%. It’s only for that too much to resist evil-pleasure and only pleasure!

All these answers only give rise to more questions. Why is it that some people find other people of the same gender more attractive? Is the answer as simple as why some people like Chinese food and some don’t? Is Homosexuality as rampant in Rural India as in Urban India? If yes then, is the fear of social stigma keeping the people from coming out in the open?

Finally, more than changing the Law, this struggle is about changing the society’s mindset towards Homosexuals. It is about changing a centuries-old belief that Homosexuality is evil, that it is unnatural. And it is not going to be an easy task. This whole struggle of social acceptance may demand a lot from the community including some sacrifices as is with all struggles. It requires the whole community to stand together as they have done brilliantly till now and fight for a right that they believe is rightfully theirs.