More on treating homosexuality as a sickness: Homosexuality is punishable in India

doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7450.1261-b

BMJ 2004;328:1261 (22 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7450.1261-b

Letter

Homosexuality is punishable in India

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Twisselmann summarised the debate on bmj.com abouttreating homosexuality as a sickness.¹ The differing views ofdoctors and society about homosexuality are well known; in Indiaboth society and doctors seem to share the same perceptions,which is worrying because of their strength and the repercussionson the homosexual community.² In India homosexuality is punishableeven between two consenting adults: the laws of colonial timesare yet to change. Thus homosexuals have no special rights.Mostly, they meet in public toilets and clandestine clubs.

It would be interesting to learn to what extent the prevailingopinions about homosexuality affect the way in which psychiatristsand doctors in general deal with homosexual patients. Indianpsychiatrists often have negative perceptions, as do the peopleat large. Use of aversive options such as electroconvulsivetherapy for "treating gays" is not unusual here.

Most people are bewildered and taken aback after discovering. . . [Full text of this article]

Vikas Dhikav, resident

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India vikasdhikav@hotmail.com

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