Author: Akshaya Kumar Sahoo
Publication: The Asian Age
Date: The Asian Age
URL: http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/asian-age-plus/news-plus/orissa-gay-activists'-thumbs-up-to-delhi-high-court-ruling.aspx
He did not have any qualms about declaring
himself a gay while making his speech at a seminar on Sexual Rights and Health
in Bhubaneswar. It seemed he felt proud in disclosing his sexual preference
in the packed auditorium of a city hotel.
The audience, on their part, perplexed for
a few moments, got engrossed as he continued to highlight the deplorable life
of the gays and lesbians.
After making a thought-provoking speech for
about 20 minutes on the behaviour, desire and aspirations of gay partners,
Subham Mishra, a 22-year-old boy, tried to drive his point home that gays
should not be looked down upon by the society and get recognition as normal
human beings.
A master degree holder in social work and
business administration, Subham is a leading social activist in the state
fighting for the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders.
"We, like you all, are normal human beings.
The only difference is that we do not feel for a woman when it comes to meeting
our sexual needs. Like normal human beings, we sincerely and mindfully discharge
all our day-to-day responsibilities and obligations," says Subham.
Subham, a resident of Keonjhar, had a harrowing
childhood, especially when his family came to know that he was a gay. His
father, a school teacher, felt devastated. His brothers also did not like
him any longer.
"My father was terribly shocked. The
only support I got was from my mother and sister. The neighbours considered
me abnormal, made fun of me. And finally, I was almost ostracised in my locality,"
says Subham.
The young man felt shattered. He firmed up
his mind and decided to live with dignity, without keeping his basic biological
desires and instincts secret.
After graduation, Subham pursued social work
to study more on human behaviour and society. The subject helped him to have
regular interface with social organisations working for restoration of the
rights of gays, lesbians and transsexuals.
"During and after my post-graduation,
I travelled extensively to different parts of the country and participated
in seminars, workshops and symposiums on human rights. Exposure to such exercises
gave me an idea that gays and lesbians are like normal human beings and they
have every right to live in the society with dignity and honour; they cannot
be discriminated against," he says.
Having acquired wide experience, Subham decided
to float an organisation of his own, dedicated to the cause of same-sex people.
He named it as Sakha (Friends).
"Initially, there were few takers as
many frowned at us. Now, we have a strong network across the state with over
500 active members," he says, adding that the members include high-skilled
educated professionals as well as illiterates.
How does the organisation help the members?
"Unity is strength. When a group of people shout, the authorities at
least do listen to them. Now, people have started believing that we are normal
creatures and capable of doing everything that they do daily in their personal
and professional life," he claims.
Recently, Subham's organisation submitted
memorandums to Orissa government demanding equal treatment of the same-sex
practitioners.
Subham welcomes the Delhi high court's verdict
legalising the gay sex between the consenting adults.
"The Delhi high court's pathbreaking
judgement has once again proved that India is truly a democratic country.
The Indian Constitution guarantees equal rights to people of all castes and
religions. Now, it has given equality to same-sex practitioners," he
says.
Orissa unit of Lepra Society, which has been
working on Sexual Rights and Health (SRH) through its project Sakhyam, is
equally happy with Subham's fight for rights of the gay.
"Subham and his friends have been doing
a commendable job in awakening the society to the problems and plights of
the gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders. It is because of their consistent
efforts that people have started recognising these people as dignified citizens,"
says Harish Chandra Singh, regional director, Lepra Society.
Prasant Mishra, project coordinator of Sakhyam
says: "Lepra Society has been making sincere endeavour to restore sexual
rights and health needs of the gay, lesbians and transgenders. Our efforts,
to a great extent, have yielded positive results. I hope in the coming days,
they will be leading a more dignified and noble life."