First of all, let’s all catch up and see what section 377 of the Indian Penal Code actually says about homosexuality –

Unnatural offences.—Whoever voluntarily has carnal inter­course against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life], or with impris­onment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.—Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.

– indiankanoon.org

Now, back to the land of freethinkers and people who mind their own business – India. To be fair, the people in our country won’t have much problem with homosexuality given that your partner is from the same caste. However, there are some people who have problems with that too. When talking about homosexuality, you may have heard people labeling it as ‘unnatural’ or against God or whatever. Sadly, in our country, God shows quite the interest in other people business and where they are putting their genitals. My job is to make you aware and to see if arguments made by these protectors of our culture hold any water or not. Let’s do this –

Argument number 1: Homosexuality is unnatural

By definition, unnatural means something that doesn’t exist in nature or happens in nature. Now, what is nature and what exactly is natural? Are you, who are reading this article on the screen of your electronic device, in an air-conditioned room, sitting in a building, natural? Most of the nouns in the previous statement aren’t ‘natural’ i.e. naturally occurring in nature. You don’t protest against buildings and phones, do you? If you don’t and yet protest homosexuality, then by definition, you are a hypocrite.

Apart from your hypocrisy, let’s see if it’s really unnatural or not. Does it exist in nature? The answer to that question is yes. Your precious animals also engage in hot steamy homosexual sex. Time and again, numerous studies have shown that homosexuality exists in the animal kingdom. There are too many species to list here. To my knowledge, a chimpanzee is more natural than a human, who thrives on the artificial.

Argument number 2: It’s a mental illness/ disease

Ah, yes. The old ‘gays are crazy’ theory. If there is one universal truth for everyone, it’s that people want to hear things they agree with. They don’t like their beliefs to be challenged. If you present them with opposing facts, they will feel threatened and can even turn hostile. That’s why you see people so strongly fighting for their beliefs (religion, political ideologies, etc). Anyway, coming back to the point – Is homosexuality a mental illness/disease?

No, it’s not. And it’s not me who is saying it, there are people who know a thing or two about mental illnesses called psychiatrists. Psychiatry.org claims that Homosexuality as a Mental Disorder is Simply Not Backed Up by Science. For those who still don’t believe it, here is another one by psychology today. Whom do you think I should believe – Professionals who know what they are talking about, or you?

Argument number 3: It’s against our religion/culture

Yes, now we are talking. Labeling things that you don’t agree with as ‘against your culture’ is a classic one. Let’s see it according to the most prevalent religions in India. In Hinduism, homosexuality exists, like REALLY exists. One of the most famous couples – The Hari Har. Vishnu becomes Mohini and even had a baby with Shiva, who was later known as Ayappa. Then there is Agni, who married both goddess Svaha and Som, the moon god. There are many more, you can find quite a few of them in this article. Then, there’s always Khujaraho.

In Islam, homosexuality is a sin. But, would you really consider Islam as a benchmark? I mean, it’s the same religion that says people who do not believe in Islam will burn in eternal hellfire. And we all know how they treat women. Christianity is no better. Would you really take advice from a book that teaches you how to treat your slaves?

The people who follow these religions have no problem believing someone split the moon in half or a snake talked. But when someone says they are gay, all hell breaks loose and people start stoning you.

Argument number 4: It’s gross

via GIPHY

This is the real reason, isn’t it? You find two men loving each other gross. Anything that is not in agreement with you is gross. Ironically, these are the same people who have no problem watching lesbian porn. If you are so repulsed by homosexuality, how two women going at it suddenly makes it sexy? Hypocrites.

The thing is, people are not against homosexuality. They are against anything that doesn’t confirm their beliefs. If tomorrow, a large enough group decides that farting is forbidden, you can be damn sure that you’ll get lynched for blasphemy, next time you play your anal audio. That’s just how things work, sadly.

Next time, when you hear someone say that they are against homosexuality, and want section 377 to stay; ask them this – Are you really against it or just trying to protect your ridiculously fragile beliefs?

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay, Pexel, Youth Ki Awaaz