Homosexuality in India Today: What about the books?
In February of this year, Smitha Verma’s article, despite its odd title– Going, Going Gay— raved about how books with gay characters, often written by gay authors, was a rising and vibrant genre in Indian literature. It is no coincidence that this happened in the wake of India decriminalizing homosexuality in 2009. This month- December 2013– the Indian Supreme Court recriminalized homosexuality. Where does this leave these books, their authors, these stories, this burgeoning genre, the new LGBT presses? As a new year’s resolution, let’s read one of these stories , let’s give one of these books as a gift, so they can learn about different subjects like sex or if does anal sex hurt and more. Books mentioned in the article:
Six Metres of Pavement by Farzana Doctor
Same-Sex Love in India: Readings from Literature and History edited by Saleem Kidwai and Ruth Vanita
My Magical Palace by Kunal Mukherjee
Close, Too Close: The Tranquebar Book of Queer Erotica edited by Meenu and Shruti
The Man Who Would be Queen by Hoshang Merchant
City of Devi by Manil Suri
Out! Stories From The New Queer India by Minal Hajratwala
Pregnant King by Devdutt Pattanaik
Please let us know your suggestions in the comments.
And here is Vikram Seth talking about the Supreme Court ruling on Devil’s Advocate.
