When a colleague asked me about how Hinduism describes homosexuality, I was answerless. I wasn't really sure whether Hinduism really knows about homosexuality. I didn't know on what ground I answer the question. So I tried to get away from the question. But, I had curiosity if there had been any debate on this topic among our religious leaders.
Homosexuality was not uncommon in ancient cultures. In different eras, cultures, and religions, homosexual behaviour has been variously approved, tolerated, punished, or banned. The forms and views of homosexual behaviour vary significantly. In most of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, both the subject and the behaviour are considered taboo. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans were generally accepting of homosexual behaviour within certain contexts. Traditionally, Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Sikh cultures have generally perceived homosexual behaviour as sinful. Although, some modern and liberal strands of both mainstream Protestant Christianity and Reform Judaism advocate, on theological as well as social grounds, the full acceptance of homosexuals and their relationships.
Unlike other religion, does Hinduism have its clear view on homosexuality?

Interesting to note that this thread was viewed 245 times but not a single soul responded. I wonder why? Could it be that no one knows how to answer that question? Could it be because homosexuality is such a sensitive and highly personal topic? Maybe the members are doing some online research before posting their replies.

Anyway, Hindusim is a way of life and the religion practices a high level of tolerance. Homosexuality, on the other hand is a clinical condition. Generally, when it comes to sensitive matters, most people become evasive. In the name of 'brotherhood', I've personally seen many Hindu men walking around holding hands. It seems quite normal. So, even if some may be 'couples', the general public may not be aware that is so. They would probably look upon them as good friends. The Hindu religion also respects Eunuchs and give them importance during auspicious ceremonies. I haven't read any article or witnessed any incidents that prohibited homosexuals from observing Hindu rituals or praying at temples. Perhaps that's why we are more tolerant than all other religions.

- http://www.galva108.org/third_gender_types.html

- http://www.slate.com/id/2102443/

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_and_religion

Jerry Seinfeild,"Not that there is anything wrong with it."

Sri Bishnu le Mohini roop linu bhayo...Bhasmasur lai akarsit garna...

Sikhandi jo ek "mahila purush" hunuhunthyo...uhanko pani ek mahila sanga bihe bhayo...

yestai bibhinna paristhiti chhan jasle prasta "homosexuality" ta arthyaundainan...tarapani tesko bhab bhane dinchhan|

Dear Heartbeat ji

 

      Homosexuality is not "clinical" condition as you mentioned. Do some research before you write anything.

I agree with Mr. Gadha. As per researchers, its in the Genes. Some church group try to potray homosexuality as a psychological condition and claim to "correct" this and make the person heterosexual. But according to the experts, this is just the "homophobic" attitude of the church as many denominations consider homosexuality a sin.

As far as I know Hinduism does not condemn homosexuality. It does not have a clear stand on the subject. I know the Ancient Greek mythological characters or Gods openly engaged in gay activities, I had Jeus in mind when I said this.

Regardless whether its NATURE OR NURTURE... Just accept them for who they are.

They have been around since the begining of time in every culture.

I think its time for the Human Civiliztion to acknowledge them.

"Not that there is anything wrong with it." George Costanza.

btw isn't Narada Supposed to be gay ?

I remember seeing sculptures of gods and goddesses having sex. They were pretty liberal sexually. There are even ones doing it with animals. There are orgies. Females on females  but I have never noticed anything male on male.

I think Narada was portrayed feminine because of his gossiping nature. Not that gossiping is a feminine trait in the present age.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_and_Hinduism

Hindu dharma does not allow us to have sex or establish immoral activities before marriage. This condition itself tells us that Hindus are conservative. So, I don't think Homosexuality is accepted in any conservative society. I don't believe in Americans though.

 

Although, Hinduism doesn't accept homosexuality morally or in any written form, Hinduism neither strongly condemns it. We can find existance of Homosexulaity in some Hindu dominating countires and places. Like, Hijara in India. They are freely living and carring out their activities in most of the Indian cities. Hijaras are definately gay. However, Indians don't consider those who penitrate hijaras a gay and they are not ready to accept the fact that this is not a homosexual act. Homosexuality is still a Taboo to Hindu society.
Lesbian scenes in recent Bollywood movies and we watching it without any comments is another example of us being liberal towards Homosexuality.
Shikhandi was not the only eunuch in Mahabharat. Even Arjun became a eunuch for a year during Pandav's hideout after 13  years of exile. Arjuna who had learnt the act of dance and music from Chitrasen at Indralok, was cursed by Urbashi to remain a eunuch for a year. So he found it convinient to become a dance and music teacher for princess Uttara in the Kingdom of Birat. This story proves that Hinduism has been familier with homosexuality from ancient period.
However,  Hinduism doesn't allow religious marriage of two individual of same sex.

 

 

The Gotipuas ~ a puberty boy in women costumes, dance for major festivals in Orissa ,India

 

 

Nepal: Sexual Minorties Win Identity Battle
News  2007-12-22 14:00
 http://www.mysinchew.com/node/4888

KATHMANDU, NEPAL: Nepali sexual minorities on Friday (21 Dec) won an important battle for identity as the Supreme Court ruled in a landmark verdict that they should be allowed to enjoy all fundamental rights in their "own identity".

"Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and inter-sex [LGBTI] are also 'natural persons' though they are not masculine or feminine from the perspective of gender," the court said, "And they should be allowed to enjoy all the rights defined by national and international human rights law and instruments."

The court further said: "As they are natural persons, every LGBTI should be allowed to live in Nepali society enjoying all freedoms (defined by the Constitution)."

Nepali sexual minorities had been fighting an identity battle for a long time.

Justices Bal Ram KC and Pawan Kumar Ojha, who handed down the verdict, ordered the government to either create a conducive environment for the enjoyment of all rights by LGBTI or amend existing discriminatory laws.

Lawyers said the verdict is the first of its kind in the world. "No supreme court in the world has passed a verdict to date saying that there should be no discrimination on the basis of gender identity," human rights lawyer Hari Phuyal, who pleaded for the rights of the minorities before the court, said.

Though the exact number of sexual minorities is not known, Sunil Babu Pant of Blue Diamond Society estimates that they comprise eight to 10 per cent of Nepal's population. He said 80,000 sexual minority people have come into contact with his organisation so far.

"SC has taken a major step to protect the rights of sexual minorities with different identities. Now the government should give these minorities the kinds of citizenship, passport and other legal documents preferred by them," said human rights lawyer Hari Phuyal, who was amicus curie during hearings in the case.

The court verdict Saturday (22 Dec) came in response to public interest litigation filed by Pant, Mina Nepali of Mitini Nepal, Sanjov Gurung of Cruise Aids Nepal and Manoranjan Kumar Baidhya of Parichaya Nepal.

Litigants termed the verdict landmark, historic and encouraging. An elated Pant told The Kathmandu Post after the verdict: "We have got legal status now. We will get documents of our preference."

In its verdict, the court has reminded the government of its duty toward sexual minorities. "It is the duty of the state to create an environment for the enjoyment of rights (by sexual minorities). It should not be assumed that they cannot enjoy the rights because of their sexual orientation."

Besides, sexual minorities are entitled to benefit from state policies in their own identity, the court added.

In the petition, the litigants had also sought an apex court order to the government to allow same sex marriage. But the court underlined the need to study the situation of same sex marriage and laws on same sex marriage in other countries.

For this purpose, the court has formed a seven-member committee headed by a medical doctor designated by the Ministry of Health. Other members of the committee are representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Population and Environment, a sociologist designated by the government and human rights lawyer Hari Phuyal.

The court also ordered the government to frame necessary laws on same sex marriage on the basis of the committee's findings. (The Kathmandu Post/ ANN)

 

मेरो विचारमा नपुन्सक को बारेमा महाभारतमा केही चर्चा मा त्र होइन एउटा मुख्य पात्र नै छन।
भिस्मपितामह जो आजित र अमर थिए। जब सम्म भिस्म रहन्छ्न दुर्योधनको हार असम्भव थियो ।
भिस्मले अर्ध नारी, अर्ध पुरुष ( नपुन्सक) माथि हतियार प्रयोग नगरने बाचा गरेका थिए।
तेसैले अर्जुनको सारथी एउटा नपुन्स्क लाई बनाएर अर्जुनले भिस्मलाई युद्द बाट अलग्याउन सफल भए। ( माफ गर्नु होला नाम बिर्सिए)।
मेरो विचारमा अरु धर्म्को जस्तो कट्टर पन थिएन जस्तो लाग्छ।
सम्लिङिको कुरा कही गरेको छ त्??

के लाई आधार बनाएर हिन्दू धर्मको ब्याखा गर्ने।?????????????
ब्रह्निण र छेत्रीय हरु आफ्नो जात र बर्णको सम्भार मा अरु द्रविण जाती भन्दा धेरै अगाडि थिए।
शिक्षाको घाम यिनैले पाए र पछी पेवा जस्तो बनाए।
हुँदा हुँदा ब्रम्हिण र छेत्री हरुले मा त्र बेध पढ्नु हुन्छ भने।
सुद्र सबैको सेवा पात्र बनाए।
शिक्षा बाट बन्चित बनाइयो।
मुसल्मान बाट बच्चाउन केटा केटीमै विवाह गर्ने चलन बनाए।
यो आधार किटान भए पछी मात्रै हामी हिन्दू धर्म्को बारेमा बिस्लेसण गर्न सक्छौ।
अन्यथा हामी सबै शोषन मा परेका छौ र तेही बिध्वान्को शोषन लाई धर्म्को रुप मानेर बसेक छौ।
कसैले विवाह अगाडि साररिक सम्बन्ध हुनु हुँदैन भन्नु भयो।
तर कर्ण के का उपज हुन त?????????????
जती जती समाज सन्स्कारीत हुँदै गयो, शिक्षा सन्स्क्रित मा मात्रै सिमित भयो, अनी यो भाषा विद्वान ब्रामिण को एक्लौटी पेवा भयो। अनी सन्स्क्रित्मा जेजे लेखिदिए पनि धर्म भयो।
कही भनेका छन, ब्रम्हिण बाट निस्केको बचन नै धर्म हो।
यसरीनै हिन्दू धर्म को श्रीजना भएको हो ,

 तेसैले के लाई आधार बनाउने त्यो निर्क्योल गर्नु पर्‍यो पहिले।
नत्र हरेक सताद्बी मा विद्वान ब्रम्हिन्ले आफ्नो पक्षमा परेर त,  केही आफ्नै धुन मा जेलेखिदिये तेही धर्मको अन्स बन्दै आओ।