A young gay man in Kolkata was subjected to physical and mental torture after coming out to his parents.

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Sanjoy (name changed), in his early 20s, lives with his partner about which his parents weren’t aware. His partner’s family, however, knew of his sexual orientation.

When Sanjoy’s family found out, they hired local goons to beat him up and he was also tortured him mentally, Koninika Roy, an advocacy manager at The Humsafar Trust, told Indiatimes. The Humsafar Trust is one of the oldest social organisations in India working for the equal rights of LGBTQ people in the country.

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She told us his family sent him to a doctor for “treatment” and when the doctor said he was absolutely normal, they suggested he get “corrective rape” treatment.

Koninika said, “Violence against the LGBTQ community is extremely common in India. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and the fact that same sex behaviour is criminalised in the country means that homosexuals cannot live freely. The story of this gay couple is just one of the examples of how the LGBTQ community is treated in India.”

Sanjoy finally managed to get away from his parents, hired a lawyer and got a restrictive order against them. Since then he has been living with his partner but they have now run out of funds for their legal battle.

Indiatimes is trying to reach out to the couple for a comment.

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