Background Homosexuality as a Western concept which was introduced in India by the British. In the more recent past it has gradually been accepted as a concept among the Indian higher and middle classes. Among these classes the Victorian values of morality instilled by the British were fossilized as it were, resulting in a strong repression of homosexuality. Nowadays in India homosexuality is more repressed than in Britain or most Western countries. In traditional Indian sexual culture a concept of homosexuality does not exist. What does exist is a specific expression of third gender called Hijra (in the North) and Ali in the South. Ali and Hijra come close to the Western transsexual (men who feel like females and have the desire for a sex change). It is estimated that in Madras some 200 Ali sell sex. They work the streets and have cruising places of their own. This circuit is part of this study. The other important circuits are constituted by men. Danga (effeminate men, prefer passive role in sex with other men), double-deckers (neutral gender identity, but prefer same-sex relations), panthi (masculine men who have sex with men, ali and women), the whole gamut of men who have sex with men including those who do not necessarily have any preference for the same sex, but are into it for business (rent boys) are the target of this study. Gay culture in India is still in a nascent stage. Men who have a feminine strain in their gender identity and have an exclusive preference for the same sex are largely underground and not out in the open. In Western terminology they would be referred to as closet-cases. In India the so-called homosexuals are not identifiable and more blended into society (male world) at large. Male and female in Indian culture are strictly separated. There is strong homosocial bonding. Homosexual contact within the group of males is still common among all classes.
Overview Objective of the study is to provide an ethnographic picture of circuits of Men who have sex with men. Different forms of homosexual behavior can be dis- cerned:
o Ali (transsexual) and male partners;
Different circuits can be discerned:
o Pleasure circuit
o Commercial Circuit
Demarcating different circuits and forms of behaviour is not always possible as there are many in-between forms. Important social and sexual meeting places in Madras are Panagal park, Marina Beach and the cinemas and bars in Kodam- bakkam. Most public toilets, but also local trains are used for cruising. It is estimated there are 22 main cruising areas in the city. Besides these general places there are other scenes and networks such as upper middle class scenes often linked with traditional arts institutions and the modern cinema circuit. The university, up-bracket disco's, 5 star hotel lobbies are other places where gay men gather. Young men of both feminine and masculine identity who sell sex are prevalent at different places but mainly at Marina Beach, Panagal park, and at some cinemas. In almost all hotels some of the hotel boys are selling sex on the side. Hence there is an important network "family boys" who operate through brokers. Situational homosexual behaviour is common among the military, male cine extra's, college boys who live in all male hostels, ricksha drivers, truck drivers and their helpers, workers including house servants, soldiers, pupils at schools, prison population.
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