Follow up: A “Sensible” Religious Response to LGBT Sikhs
Earlier this week I blogged about how Queer/LGBT Sikhs have been (shamefully) excluded from the Sikh community by religious leaders. Today, I was sent the following blog post and BBC article about “marriages of convenience” for queer desis who feel they cannot come out, by virtue of their religious or ethnic identities (thanks, Jodha!). Balbir Singh, a leader in the Southall community comments:
“The whole family suffers. We are living in 2008 and it’s time they should come out to the parents… I’ve even heard that parents have died because of the shock of finding out about these pretend marriages. But for Asian gays and lesbians, the situation is very difficult.”
His comments are furthered by two queer, desi Muslims in the UK [ed. note: in the U.K. “Asian” typically refers to desi], Fazal Mahmood and Rubina:
“The situation is so serious – we’ve heard about gays and lesbians being attacked because of their sexuality. We’ve even had cases where people have tried to commit suicide because Asian society will not accept or tolerate homosexuals.”
“I wish that people would understand sexuality is only one part of a person and my message to parents is that being gay or lesbian does not change your child… We’re living in a modern day society and it’s wrong that this persecution carries on. It’s unacceptable.”
The U.K., which tends to fall ahead of the curve, shows us that there is an urgent need to create queer-friendly spaces and understanding within the Sikh community. While Balbir Singh does not endorse LGBT marriages, he speaks against encouraging LGBT Sikhs to stay closeted. Perhaps a sensible first step is encouraging acceptance and love.
6 Responses to “Follow up: A “Sensible” Religious Response to LGBT Sikhs”
Heres an interesting first-hand account of one particular Punjabi relationship of convenience: Link
Heres an interesting first-hand account of one particular Punjabi relationship of convenience: Link
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I am reposting this letter asking to repeal "Don't ask don't tell" — it is interesting that Sikhs are taking on the same cause to be included in US military service. Are they willing to let others?
Source is given at the end.
Dear Legislator,
The time has come to talk about a difficult problem of inequality in our society today. If we cannot look past sexual preference, then problems of racism will have no chance.
There is something you can do to help. Please supporting the Lieberman/Levin language repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the National Defense Authorization Act. .
[..deleted to save space..]
And the votes computation is not even going to cause you a problem. Public opinion is strongly in favor of repeal. Join the majority. Join the cause of human rights.
Pratik Gandhi
Pittsburgh PA
Found http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/Advocacy?page…
I am reposting this letter asking to repeal "Don't ask don't tell" — it is interesting that Sikhs are taking on the same cause to be included in US military service. Are they willing to let others?
Source is given at the end.
Dear Legislator,
The time has come to talk about a difficult problem of inequality in our society today. If we cannot look past sexual preference, then problems of racism will have no chance.
There is something you can do to help. Please supporting the Lieberman/Levin language repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the National Defense Authorization Act. .
[..deleted to save space..]
And the votes computation is not even going to cause you a problem. Public opinion is strongly in favor of repeal. Join the majority. Join the cause of human rights.
Pratik Gandhi
Pittsburgh PA
Found http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/Advocacy?page…
Thanks, I have been seeking for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best Ive discovered so far.