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1. Speaking of arresting homosexuals.

   http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/5845859/detail.html?rss=okl&psp=news

   Posted by: Damon | Jan 5, 2006 1:19:40 PM

   
   

2. Holy shit, I'm late. Scratch the first post. Already been posted on.

   Posted by: Damon | Jan 5, 2006 1:21:48 PM

   
   

3. >>The law against homosexual sex was enacted under British colonial rule in 1861. Sex with animals is also punishable under the same law. However, fewer than 50 people have been convicted, mainly because judges tend to be lenient and authorities are reluctant to stir sexual controversy, the AP reports.

   As is the case in many British Colonies, the laws, written under British influence, were never fully accepted by the colonists. "Agree with the white master, and go about your business as usual." It's only recently that the British laws were a reflection of their attitudes. The Victorian shadow seems to be lifing.

   Neutered males, transvestites, and trans-gender hopefuls have always been part of the Indian landscape. They have an honored part in many Indian traditions and celebrations. It would be bizarre if the Indian people were as homophobic as those 19th century laws would have us think.

   50 arrests in over 140 years! That's the real story here. It's simply a case of a law that has never really been enforced, and probably never will be.

   Posted by: Jay Croce | Jan 5, 2006 11:46:28 PM

   
   

4. "50 arrests in over 140 years! That's the real story here. It's simply a case of a law that has never really been enforced, and probably never will be."

   Many arrests under s.377 have not been reported because, in the absence of media attention as in the current case, its usually only when they are appealed to a state High Court that people get to know about (court cases in lower district courts don't get archived) and many of the people arrested under this law are not in a position or just don't want to take up a fight over it.

   There's also the negative influence that just the threat of the law can have. I work with a gay group in Bombay and we have documented many cases of blackmail rings that target gay men. The police have said, despite the gay angle, that they would help stop this, but a victim has to file a complaint and to date none has because of fear of s.377. That makes blackmail of gay men in India almost a perfect crime.

   And for those few who have got arrested under s.377 (or other laws that the police use sometime, since s.377 can be complicated to use in practice), you can bet its bad enough. I've heard some of the jail experiences of a couple of activists arrested in Lucknow some years and they are horrific. There is no reason to take this law lightly.

   Vikram

   Posted by: Vikram | Jan 6, 2006 3:23:48 AM

   
   

5. "Police arrest four at secret gay club in India, seize 1,000 telephone numbers."

   If you want to collect phone numbers you have to do the leg work and pound the pavement just like all the rest of us. Lazy cops.

   P.S. Did you know that if Liberace had come out as gay he could have been extradicted back to England and tried for treason since he lied and said he wasn't gay during his trial there in the 50's? Is that true?

   Posted by: Chad Hanging | Jan 6, 2006 11:10:27 PM

   
   

6. "...tried for treason since he lied..."

   Wouldn't have been treason, would've been for perjury since he lied under oath and would've had to return the $millions$!!

   Posted by: HisHolynessDPope | Jan 6, 2006 11:35:59 PM

   
   

7. Aw crap, I can't believe I said treason. Of course I meant perjury. I guess I've heard "tried for treason" so much since 9/11 it's just sort of sunk in.

   Posted by: Chad Hanging | Jan 7, 2006 12:35:09 AM

   
   

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