Gay Guide

New Delhi

Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmadabad, Kanpur, Nagpur, Lucknow, Pune

Homosexuality is illegal despite legal a challenge in the Courts in 2004 brought by an Aids charity. Whilst the legal position is uncompromising that does not mean that there is no gay activity. Because pre-marital sexual contact between men and women is very difficult it is quite common and socially accepted for young men to have sex. It is often not defined as sex, though, but masti - or "mischief". Sex is between a husband and wife. As with the Arabs, Indian men doing the active part of a sexual encounter are not condemned, whereas the passive partner is not considered a "man". There are also examples of socially accepted trasvestism in India. There is virtually no gay scene in India. The emphasis is very much into outdoor cruising. However, there are some bars for example the "Voodoo Pub" in Colaba (Bombay) claims to be the only gay bar between Istanbul and Bangkok and is pretty much exclusively gay on Saturdays. Several organisations for gays and lesbians also exist and they occasionally organise events. For more information check out the websites listed below. New Delhi's only gay night is at the enticingly named "Pegs N Pints" in Chandkyapuri on Tuesday nights! Gay and lesbian visitors to India may find the cultural difference too great to bridge but nonetheless India makes for a facinating holiday destination.

Illegal

Not mentioned in law

21

Homosexuality is illegal in India with anal intercourse punishable by life imprisonment under S377 of the Unnatural Offences Act. The act also applies to oral sex. The courts in recent cases under the act have imposed much lighter sentences. S377 also criminalises male to male sex with up to 10 years imprisonment.

1014004000

Rupee Rs

The best time to visit India is during the cooler winter period in November to February

India has a tropical climate that is dominated by the Asiatic monsoons with four fairly distinct seasons which are common to all six or seven climatic regions. (1.) A relatively cool winter monsoon season. (2.) A hot and rainless transitional season. (3.) A rainy monsoon season and (4.) a humid season. Tropical hurricanes and cyclones are common between April to June and September to December. Average temperature ranges in New Delhi are from 7c to 21c in January to 26c to 41c in May.