Bollywood tackles Homosexuality with Dostana

Categorized | Bollywood

Bollywood tackles Homosexuality with Dostana

Posted on 01 October 2008 by Amrita Tanna

Dostana

There was a special treat in store for those who went to see Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008) on the big screen: prior to the film, viewers were given an exclusive sneak preview of the much-awaited film Dostana. Produced under Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and directed by his long-time assistant and friend Tarun Mansukhani, the film stars the original Dhoom hunk John Abraham, the dashing Abhishek Bachchan and the beautiful Priyanka Chopra. The film takes its name from the Amitabh Bachchan classic Dostana (1980) which it also borrows a similar theme from.

Following the worldwide success of Kal Ho Na Ho and the varied response received from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Dostana is likely to raise some controversy with its gay centric storyline (John and Abhishek play two straight guys who pretend to be gay in an attempt to dupe Priyanka’s character).

This is not the first time we’ve seen Karan Johar come in contact with the topic though - Kal Ho Na Ho had slight references to gay culture throughout the film with the hilarious “Kantaben” set-ups: these were a coincidental chain of events (between Shah Rukh Khan’s character and Saif Ali Khan’s character) which appeared to look like homosexual acts only to suddenly have the homophobic maid, “Kantaben” coincidently appear and witness it all. The comical undertone of the scenes proved to be a winner with the audience who had the chance to enjoy the same humour all over again at the Filmfare Awards later in the year where the two Khans re-enacted the famous scenes.

The teaser trailer of Dostana only included one line of dialogue. This was said by John with Abhishek standing beside him: “Hum Gay Hain!… Yeh Mera Boyfriend Hai!”. The clip then cut to John and Abhishek dancing to the tango, with a red rose between the Abhishek’s teeth. There were also many clips of the heavenly Miami beaches where the film was shot and a bare-bodied John emerging from the water (which left many of the female audiences gasping for more).

Dostana will give Indian Cinema its first film centred around homosexuality, albeit in a comical manner. It seems to be very fresh and upbeat and is sure to offer the viewers something very different and contemporary. As the director, Tarun comments, “Dostana is about three friends…the trio play pranks and have fun together like all friends do…. Abhishek and John have an amazing chemistry and they come across more as a couple than anybody else”.

Shilpa Shetty was also spotted shooting a song for the film and it’s sure to be a sizzler! The film is set to release on 14^th November 2008.

(12 votes. Average: 4.17 out of 5)

Tags : abhishek bachchan, john abraham, priyanka chopra

54 Comments For This Post

KMistry Says:
October 1st, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Wow! impressed! keep up the good word!
Pras Geng Says:
October 1st, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Good article!

As for the fillum, I personally think Dharma Productions took the easy way out with regards to tackling the topic of homosexuality. The storyline already reeks of cheap jokes and over-exaggerated ‘gayness’. It would have been more progressive and to say the least, more interesting, if they were really gay or discovering that they liked men instead of putting a trophy indian doll at the centre piece of yet another nonsensical Bollywood movie. I guess it’s still baby steps as it seems that it was only a few years ago that we saw the first on screen kiss.
Hmm... Says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Are these signs of progressive Bollywood? Or just India jacking traits of western cukture - good or bad!
Avani Says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
I loved the article! Just makes u wonder what bollywood will come up with next!
frank Jones Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 4:29 am
Has the world gone mad????

I might be a bit hardcore but trying to make Gays cool in India is not the right direction Bollywood should take. There are so many people there already(literally billions) so if a few percent of that watch this and decide to let that dormant gay in them lose and become full blown out gays then the worlds gay population going to increase substantially.

Yes I realise the majority of you reading this is going to think let them be, and are they not they people as well? But this is a crime against humanity and not a natural act. Think about it? A plug can only go into a socket and not another plug. As otherwise how would the device work?

I don’t mind people being gay in private or gay choosing to be gays as its their own lives but when the media popularise it and put that message into people’s stupid heads that it’s ok and they starting swaying towards the dark side then that when it goes wrong.

As humans are stupid beings and media plays a big part in people life’s choices and upbringing. So I believe owners and reviewers of this site need to sit down and think about what their political opinion is in life and become more responsible role models by not promoting stuff that goes against humanity and is not right and SHOULD not be socially acceptable disease. (Yes it’s a social disease that needs to be stopped)

Anyway’s sorry to offend all you sheep out there who will jump at this and defend them with their lives. if someone can explain to me why being gay is alright with some good facts and why it isnt wrong then I will humbly apologise and change my opinion of gays in life. Otherwise if you are gay and reading this you need to take a deep look at yourself and realise that’s its wrong, if your slightly curious then dont believe others when they say your born gay, its just a natural tendency for humans to want to try the forbidden fruit. So it doesn’t mean you should publish it or live your life like it.
Water Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 9:27 am
frank Jones, please read up on the scientific research why being gay is alright.

psycological associations and psychiatric association around the world usually provide great summaries on the topic, for e.g.

http://www.apa.org/topics/sorientation.html?imw=Y

as a health professional I feel so embarressed for people who are homophobic and parade their bigotry.

All it takes is a bit of understanding and education.

Also about calling it a “disease”; please let the professionals with qualifications do the diagnosing.

Hope you read the “good facts” and change your misinformed opinion.

And you are right on one thing, humans can be such stupid beings!
qwazi Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Water, your link doesn’t provide any real answers about why people are gay.
Its just basically saying “don’t be so mean to them”
There is still no evidence as to why people turn gay. So until them I think I have a right to believe it’s a choice they have made, for whatever reason, even if they don’t think so themselves.

People are easily influenced, the media is great for this, why is so much spent on advertising? Because it works.
So ‘advertising’ and making acceptable the notion of being gay will, I think, lead to more people thinking that theyre gay too or giving them the push to ‘try it out’

Im not a homophobe or bigot. Im not intolerant of gays or any peoples for that matter. I just don’t agree with their lifestyle choice, as I believe its not naturally correct. But its their choice. What I have an ‘issue’ with, if that’s what it is, is the media forcing this lifestyle on society.
qwazi Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
but this bolly film is just a p*ss take anyway
elijah Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
It is obvious that your support of the Homosexual agenda just shows
how little you know about the exteme perversions and harmfull
exercises that they get involved in to give them that edge in their
orgasms (now that really expresses their care for their fellow man now
doesn’t it?); that would have been considered as assult in a court of
law a few years back. Just look at one of the sponsors of the Folsom
Street Fair called “Straight Hell”, now if you want to have these
pshycopaths to run loose you will allow the destuction of the Country
you hold so dear. They are the sadists, rapists, pedophiles and
destuctive in nature to themselves and every one around them. You may
think that they are oppressed for being gay but what right do they
have as a community to demand anything if they haven’t given us
anything that will help our future generation, all they are giving and
spreading is HIV AIDS and STD’S…
Deepika N. Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 1:49 am
Qwazi, I loved how you were respectful!

I don’t think the media being tolerant will make more people gay. I think it will make more people come out and make people more tolerant. But saying it will make more people gay would imply that since almost all the media is heterosexual more gay people should become straight cause they would want to “try that out” haha

So if the media can force a lifestyle on society as u say, and as pretty much all the media is straight in our society, there should be no gay people to begin with…
qwazi Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 10:55 am
what have you been watching? theres gayness everywhere, films, mags, tv etc.

in the past there was less gayness on tv etc –> there were less gays about
now theres more gayness on tv etc –> more gays about

simple.
frank Jones Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
tv has a big step in creating gays. It is simple logic really, you watch something you get use to it, then you realise its natural and then let that gay in you out.

As otherwise people wud be afraid to even think about being gay due to it not being a social norm or it wudnt be readily acceptable by all. but now days this is not the case. and that link did not provide any proof.

and i am not a gay basher but a person who believes that media should be a bit more responsible when portraying gays as good. I blame media!!
JanZ Says:
October 7th, 2008 at 11:01 am
You can’t create gays! Number of gay people throughtout history have been stable, like in Ancient Greece etc.

I don’t know about you guys but there is no hidden gay in me! i could watch thousands of gay themed films but I’ll still be into girls.
Khan Says:
October 7th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Looks like a fun film! Will check it out.

IT’S OK TO BE GAY!!
qwazi Says:
October 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
ancient greece had and big gay thing going on. it was socially acceptable so more people did it just because they could, even if they weren’t ‘really’ gay.

this shows how social norms affect the attitudes and thinkings of people to such an extent as to change natural behaviours
JanZ Says:
October 8th, 2008 at 4:33 am
social norms may affect what people wear etc but not who they find sexually attractive!

ancient greece didnt have a big gay thing going on, they think that only SOME of the population was gay, i think a certain % of people are gay in the population and thats stable over the years.

and what about homosexuality in the animal kingdom eh? what about the homosexual animals? do they have their own media too to make more animals gay?
Katie Says:
October 8th, 2008 at 4:35 am
OMG! falling in love with someone is so much deeper than social norms and what the tv says is ok!!!!
SK Says:
October 8th, 2008 at 4:40 am
I personaly think its ok to be gay. There is a gay person at my work and she is so lovely and kind. She has helped me out heaps during some difficult times recently. She has been with her partner since she was 19 and have a great r/s. And… i was a bit like homopobic too i think but once you actually get to know people who are gay, you realise there are good and bad people in all walks of life, including gays
frank Jones Says:
October 8th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
JanZ I dont know you personally and you may be a intelligent person but it seems you talk without researching into such things. I myself have done extensive research into this, and it seems qwazi also knows what he is talking about. But you talk about facts that you made up.

Media does have an affect on humans, whether you like it or not. Aa agreed by many researchers on this topic, however it is still not concrete.

“social norms may affect what people wear etc but not who they find sexually attractive!” you are correct in stating that social norms may affect what people wear etc but are gravely mistaken on the second part.

As media has made what is considered attractive “now” compared to what has been traditionally attractive. Now majority of people would give their arms and legs to sleep with say eva longoria or pussy cats dolls main singer. But previously the majority would rather have someone thats more on the larger side of life (look at old paintings of females etc).

Another example where media has affected people is violence and gang culture. Due to media potraying this to be cool, this has adversly increased the possibility of this occuring. Although there are greys in this area however most researchers agree on the fact that media does have an effect. Think about apple (there clever marketing tactics make u and I gullible enough to buy that sh*t at over inflated prices)

And that comparison you made was incorrect, s in greek times it was seen socially acceptable and cool to sleep with lil boys and men. There was nothing wrong with having sex with your sister or mother. So are you saying we shud aim to reach that level in society???

As I surely dont want to, and I guess most people dont.

And yes most people who are strong willed wont give into such thoughts of being gay as they know better, so it wouldnt matter what media or anything does. But those that are not so strong will or who are “curious” then all it takes is someone or something like media to push you towards it.

and SK I have nothing against the people, as I myself have a few gay friends (I sound like that person who goes I aint racist I have many coloured friends, lol) But what I dont agree with is media potraying it to be alrite and not showing it to be decremental to society.
Janz Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Frank jones, in Greek time it was not ok to sleep with ur family, and yeah u do sound like a person that goes i aint racist cause i have friends from diff. backgrouds. And you ARE against gay people, u think its a crime against humanity and a social disease!!!!

I think ur really strange that you are friends with people who in ur opinion preforms crimes against humanity and have a social disease…

If you have done extensive research into gay issues, u would have realised its ok to be gay.

Why do u think its considered ok by doctors and psychologists? they arent stupid rite?

Anyway i think we have to agree to disagree, i believe being gay is ok.
SK Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Hey,

frank jones you are against gay people, and its so so strange you are firends with gay people when you think its not only wrong, but a crime. I mean I personally would be friends with someone who had a different opinion to me but not someone whom I thought was involved in a ‘crime against humanity’.
AK Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Those who support homosexuality may as well support incest! (and they probably will, given a few changes in societal attitudes!).

Homosexuality and incest are similar;

1. both are based on sexual instincts
2. both have violated clearly established relationship boundaries; homosexuality/gender, incest/siblings
3. both are unnatural (if indeed either of them can be found in a gene, then they should be considered to be “defects” not a mere trait!)
4. both are forbidden by God himself (across various religions).

I am not saying they are identical or the same, but my point is that they share such similar characteristics that they are very comparable.

Why do we “discriminate” against incestuous couples? Do they cause us any direct harm? No they dont. Do they have the “right” to love and live with who they want? Yes they do. (just like homosexuals!!).

Some people argue that incest is worse due to the defects that can arise in children from incestuous relationships. But here’s a question to all those who answered NO:

Q: What if modern medicine finds a way to avoid these “malformations”, what then? Does it now become less of an evil? Does it become ok to commit incest if the male undergoes a vasectomy to avoid impregnating his sister? Of course not! So the medical argument now longer exists - so do you now accept that incest is ok? (I doubt your answer is yes!). So if you and I continue to condemn what incestuous” couples do, then why don’t we “leave them to it” (as you claim homosexuals should be “left to it”) instead of condemning their incest?

I’ll tell you why! - Because society tells you to condemn incest but it doesn’t tell you to condemn homosexuality. That’s the crux of the matter and we shouldn’t be flowing with whatever society dictates tells us to believe!

Muslims, Christians, Jews (and others) - should stick to the word of God, whereas society is flawed and will continue to change and pervert all sense of morality.
frank Jones Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I think there will be a lot of arguments regarding this issue, but Janz if you cannot reply back with more of a constructed argument then please do not waste your time.

Yes I got gay friends, what of it? I have friends who are thief’s as well and? most people commit crime of some sort and thats their own personal issue. What people do on their own time is their own issue and not got nothing to do with me. But when media tries to affect society it is then I get angry.

And if your oblivious to what is going round you and what the media do then please go about living your sheepish life agreeing on what the media say and refrain from those with a opinion.

I think what AK said is right, however regardless of what god says in the books, Humans should realise that its wrong. Yes we have got a free choice, but so have we to sleep with our sister, kill/murder, steal etc But it doesn’t make it acceptable.

Can you make a plug work by sticking it into another plug? or has it been designed so it needs a socket? Man was designed/evolved (which ever way you see it - religious/scientific) to breed with opposite sex, end of.

This social disease should be stopped, as should incest, paedophilia, murder, rape etc to make society a better place.
frank Jones Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
And yes your are right that in ancient greek times it wasn’t ok to sleep with your family, however this still took place. why? well because their gods did it. Hera forbid this practice as that boundary was only to be crossed by herself.

Hera and her husband Zeus wer actually brothers and sisters. Oceanus married his sister Tethys, Saturn was wed to Rhea and even Jupiter married his sister Juno!

So if their gods committed such crimes, then obviously the people are going to do it as this mythology was created by the people. And this was the case by prominent greek leaders doing this. So socially it was acceptable to sleep with your sister back in those days and if you married her then it wouldn’t be seen as a big whoopee. So does that make it right that they slept with their siblings? if you think it does then you are a person who is on a different level to us mere humans.
Tanya Khan Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
AK: WOW. Never thought of it like that.
AK Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I guarantee, that if we do NOT stamp out and refute the so-called “moral justification” for homosexuality today - then in less than 30 years time (given previous rates of moral decline), INCEST will be legalised in the UK and other Western states. Society operates on a sliding scale with regards to morality and cannot be trusted to guide itself. It is up to those with a concrete moral conscience to ensure that society doesn’t destroy itself.

All those who supported homosexuality will be responsible for the moral decline that such disgusting support will bring about.

Homosexuality today, Incest tomorrow.
Copper Pot Says:
October 13th, 2008 at 1:27 am
Homosexuality has nothing to do with incest.

Homosexuality isnt just about sex (or sexual instincts as someone put it) its about love.

Homosexuality have always existed and is only a violation of relationship boudaries that people have made up.

Homosexuality is a natural sexual behaviour

And about religion…well I think all the horrible things that has
been done in the name of religion speaks for themselves

I support homosexuality and I think incest is totally wrong.

Just cause u support homosexulity it dosent mean u support incest and thats actually offenisve to say.

People to need realise that a small percentage of people will ALWAYS be gay, and that will remain constant, their lives will be so much better if we accept it and not be so afraid of it because of our own insecurities… Accepting homosexuality dosent mean more will become gay, it means more people will come out! Its nothing to be afraid of.

peace
Ms.B Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
probably a remake of some ole hollywood movie!
fugstar Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
hang on.

strategically, if birthrates can be reduced in certain places… is that not a possible sivler lining. i mean the carbon footprints of us in the west are tooo big.

i hope society figures out a way to gracefully deal with this, rather than give up the ghost. no need to be mean though.
AK Says:
October 19th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Copper Pot: “Homosexuality have always existed and is only a violation of relationship boudaries that people have made up. Homosexuality is a natural sexual behaviour”

Incest has ALSO existed for over a millenia, and in fact it still exists in certain isolated parts of the world. This doesn’t make incest ok and neither should homosexuality be accepted just because it has existed! (murder, rape has also existed since time began!)

There is nothing natural about homosexuality. The notion of a “homosexual gene” is not absolute as you are implying. Alot of scientists reject the notion of a homosexual gene, but being scientists with their ever-inquisitive mind; they remain open to the possibility of it. Most of these claims of a homosexual-gene are conjecture and promoted by gay activists to justify their sick/lewd acts.

Have a read on what some scientists say regarding this faggot-gene theory:

http://www.narth.com/docs/istheregene.html

“Time and time again, scientists have claimed that particular genes or chromosomal regions are associated with behavioral traits, only to withdraw their findings when they were not replicated.

“Unfortunately,” says Yale’s [Dr. Joel] Gelernter, “it’s hard to come up with many” findings linking specific genes to complex human behaviors that have been replicated. “…All were announced with great fanfare; all were greeted unskeptically in the popular press; all are now in disrepute.” - Mann, C. Genes and behavior. Science 264:1687 (1994).

Homosexuality is in fact strongly influenced by the environment, not by genetic influences:

“While the authors interpreted their findings as evidence for a genetic basis for homosexuality, we think that the data in fact provide strong evidence for the influence of the environment” - Billings, P. and Beckwith, J. Technology Review, July, 1993. p. 60.

“… the interaction of genes and environment is much more complicated than the simple “violence genes” and intelligence genes” touted in the popular press.The same data that show the effects of genes, also point to the enormous influence of nongenetic factors” - Mann, C. op. cit. pp. 1686-1689.

So please, with all your liberal claims to civility, before you start expousing the notion of the homosexual gene, perhaps you’d like to consider the fact that homosexuality is not substantiated as a natural norm!
AK Says:
October 19th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Copper Pot: Homosexuality isnt just about sex (or sexual instincts as someone put it) its about love. Homosexuality have always existed and is only a violation of relationship boudaries that people have made up…. I support homosexuality and I think incest is totally wrong. Just cause u support homosexulity it dosent mean u support incest and thats actually offenisve to say.”

Incestuous couples ALSO claim that their illicit/sick relationship is about love, just like homosexuals claim! There are many small communities throughout the world that accept incest as a natural extension of their liberal attitude.

If you accept homosexuality, then why can’t you accept incest? Incest does not harm anyone else, and if the couple practise safe sex (vasectomy 100% safety), then why should you condemn them or find their action offensive??

In fact, the act of incest is probably more “natural” than homosexuality, cos at least the parts fit! - unlike in a homosexual encounter where everything goes in reverse!! LOL.

p.s. I do not condone incest or homosexuality. I am just trying to prove a point that if you accept homosexuality then you will have to accept incest (whether you like it or not).
qwazi Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
seems the desensitization of incest has begun!

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article4332635.ece

i cant believe it.

im sure in a few years time people will be saying “its ok, its not harming anyone, they love each other, its genetics”!?!?!

the world is going crazy.
qwazi Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
why doesnt my previous comment come up??
frank jones Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I still see there are people out ther who still believe in morality and that media is messing people up. AK and qwazi I salute you sir’s for being able to stand up against todays society where people say stuff to satisfy the majority instead of whats rite and what wrong. People who can see what such actions will have on society in the future then all I can say is why care about your carbon footprint!

Only way to make society better is to remove the tight grip media has upon people, especially the sheep like copper pot!

Homosexual behaviour is not rite, however way you look at it!! the sheer fact that we have evolved/created so to have sexual relations with the opposite sex proves this. Yes you could argue, “they are humans” “it is love” “let them be” etc etc etc. But the fact will always remain that its against humanity and such anomalies should be preventedto spread any further by the MEDIA!!

And I agree with AK it an evironmental behaviour, just how must criminals or murders come about.
AK Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 9:25 am
Bringing the focus back onto the article, it seems to me that such movies are typical of the moral sliding scale which society operates on. I haven’t seen the movie, but my guess is that it will attempt to “normalise” the concept of homosexuality in a relatively conservative society such as India (relative to the West, in many ways).

We shouldn’t be surprised by it, but protest we must. Bollywood used to provide an opportunity for a South-Asian family (with traditional decent values) to sit down and enjoy a good movie together. Not so anymore! Sex-on-screen & slutty behaviour means that you can’t enjoy a movie with the family as you used to.
B Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:18 am
I think people can decide for themselves what is wrong, right, and decent. PROVIDED it dosent cause real HARM to others.

Redarding homosexuality, i dont think it matters if its genetic or not, what matter is if its a CHOICE, and IIIII think its not a choice, and III dont see any HARM if a portion of the population being homosexual.

frank jones whats rite and wrong for you is not the same for others. deal with that cause its not going to change.

also the comment above me regarding “decent tradition values”, thats like the caste system, treatment of women and widows yeah?
Reaux Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 am
i was just reading the interesting comments.

and i just noticed that someone used the word “faggot”.

That is not cool! you cant say that. you can have your own opinion about any issue. but you cannot be abusive. It just refelects badly on you.
AK Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
B: “I think people can decide for themselves what is wrong, right, and decent. PROVIDED it dosent cause real HARM to others.”

By that definition, you probably think incest is ok, since it doesn’t cause harm to others? (again, please don’t use the argument that it causes deformed babies, a simple vasectomy gets rid of that factor!).

B: “decent tradition values”, thats like the caste system, treatment of women and widows yeah?”

I said DECENT traditional values. If you’re referring to the hindu caste system, well then no, that is not what I meant. I was merely referring to the values of modesty (should’ve been rather obvious judging by my previous comments about sex-on-screen!).
AK Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:35 am
I think most of the liberal sort are victims of society’s downward trend with regards to moral values. The funny thing is that they can’t bring themselves to admit it.
B Says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am
I think most of the conservative sort are victims of misinformation, insecurity and (therefore)unkindness. The funny thing is that they can’t bring themselves to admit it.
BrissyIndianGirl Says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 am
Just learning relevant things at uni and thought id copy and paste some stuff from the APA.

Is sexual orientation a choice?
No. For most people, sexual orientation emerges in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience. Some people report trying very hard over many years to change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual, with no success. For these reasons, psychologists do not consider sexual orientation for most people to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed. People don’t choose their sexual orientation; they can of course choose the kind of a life they want to live.

Is homosexuality a mental illness or emotional problem?
No. Psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder or emotional problem. However negative attitudes towards homosexuality can result in gay and lesbian people having negative thoughts about themselves, which can result in emotional and/or social problems.

In the past, homosexuality was thought to be a mental illness because mental health professionals and society had biased information about homosexuality. Most of that information came from studies that only involved lesbians and gay men undergoing therapy for problems. When researchers examined data about gay people who were not in therapy, the idea that homosexuality was a mental illness was found to be untrue.

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association confirmed the importance of the new research by removing the term ‘homosexuality’ from the official manual that lists all mental and emotional disorders. In 1975, the American Psychological Association passed a resolution supporting this action and additional research findings have subsequently reaffirmed this decision. All mental health professionals are now urged to help dispel the stigma of mental illness that some people still associate with homosexual orientation.

What can be done to help lesbians and gay men overcome prejudice and discrimination against them?
The people who have the most positive attitudes toward homosexuality are those who say they know well one or more same-sex attracted persons. For this reason, psychologists believe negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians are not grounded in actual experience with lesbians or gay men, but on stereotypes and prejudice.

Furthermore, protection against violence and discrimination are very important, just as they are for other minority groups. Some states have laws against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Why is it important for society to be better educated about homosexuality?
Educating all people about sexual orientation and homosexuality is likely to lessen anti-gay prejudice and minimise the risk of harassment and discrimination. Accurate information about homosexuality is especially important to young people struggling with their own sexual identity. Although it is unclear what determines sexual orientation, those who study human development consider that what determines it takes place very early in life. Therefore fears that access to information about homosexuality will affect one’s sexual orientation are not valid.

bye
qwazi Says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
inconclusive
BrissyIndianGirl Says:
October 24th, 2008 at 12:44 am
inconclusive?! are you aware of what that word means??

Is sexual orientation a choice? NO.
Is homosexuality a mental illness or emotional problem? NO.

that a conclusion.
qwazi Says:
October 24th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
no i dont know what it means, it just sounded nice to me.

inconclusive.
qwazi Says:
October 24th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
what about this?

http://www.narth.com/docs/istheregene.html
BrissyIndianGirl Says:
October 25th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
haha

firstly u got ur info from a website of a group that makes alot of money form promising gay people they can change when they particpate in their therapy…

secondly, and more importantly the APA (which is unbiased) is not saying homosexuality is genetic, its saying its NOT A CHOICE. Surely its not that hard to understand…
pinkpetal Says:
October 25th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
@ BrissyIndianGirl- at least AK, qwazi and frank jones are showing their true opinions and standing up for what they believe in instead of copying and pasting some stuff to show what they’re thinking. Just because society says homosexuality is normal it does not make it so. It is against nature,against God whatever way you look at it. And yes the environment does play a factor in how people behave including their sexuality.
Having said that if people wanted to do something about homosexuality I’d say fix other problems first such as rapists and paedophiles ’cause they are causing extreme harm. Still don’t think homosexuality or incest is ok though.
BrissyIndianGirl Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 12:01 am
pinkpetal read the comments before you say things that arent true. ak also coppied and pasted stuff and qwazi posted a link to a website, i copied and pasted “some stuff” to say why I think its ok to be gay.

And the ’some stuff’ I copied and pasted were the guidelines from the
APA.

And they way i look at it homosexuality isnt against nature.

I think we should FIRST fix racsim, homophobia, sexism and other injustices cause they are causing extreme harm in our society!
AK Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Brissy,

I used my own arguments to condemn homosexuality, and only referred to sections of independent studies to support my claim. I did NOT merely copy/paste entire sections and rely on other opinions to substantiate my claims, but rather relied on reasoning/logic.

Anyway go back to the discussion, shall we?
Ashish Kumar Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Abhishek is one sexy, delicious-looking man! :-D I will certainly be seeing this movie!!!!
H. Bomb Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I truly feel sorry for the people here who who claim homosexuality is a “choice.” As a heterosexual male, I can tell you that there was NEVER a point in my life when I made a “choice” to be attracted to girls, for I readily had a biological inclination toward them and only them.

However, since alotta you claim sexual orientation is a “choice,” I can sort of understand why you may get worked up over such a movie… Two Bollywood heartthrobs acting homosexually could very well make YOU go back on your “choice” to be a heterosexual! Ohhhhhhhh… Imagine how embarrassing THAT would be! On the other hand, perhaps if you were more secure in your own sexual orientation (whether it’s your “choice” or not), you wouldn’t get so worked up over someone else’s?

Seriously, tho, I never “chose” to be heterosexual, it was biologically instilled in me; thus is the same for people who are homosexual.

And lastly, there is NO need to hold animosity toward homosexuals or their sexual orientation since neither are hurting you in any way whatsoever. (of course, unless your wife/girlfriend ran off with the lesbian down the street because you just weren’t cutting it for her!)

No, I probably will NOT see this crappy movie (I’ve seen only a handful of Bollywood flicks in my life), but I just thought I’d say something here against all the amazingly dumb and hateful comments.
qwazi Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
ur arguments are very childish

“ur gay! thats why ur saying he’s gay!”

yeh, ok.
H. Bomb Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Right. Now try looking at everything I said BESIDES that halfly-serious paragraph. (oh right… you probably did but just have no logical retort against it)
qwazi Says:
December 6th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
how about u read ur own post before posting. there was nothing else logical or worth mentioning.

and iv already replied with logic, theory and background to this topic.

KMistry Says:
October 1st, 2008 at 6:16 pm

Wow! impressed! keep up the good word!

Pras Geng Says:
October 1st, 2008 at 10:14 pm

Good article!

As for the fillum, I personally think Dharma Productions took the easy way out with regards to tackling the topic of homosexuality. The storyline already reeks of cheap jokes and over-exaggerated ‘gayness’. It would have been more progressive and to say the least, more interesting, if they were really gay or discovering that they liked men instead of putting a trophy indian doll at the centre piece of yet another nonsensical Bollywood movie. I guess it’s still baby steps as it seems that it was only a few years ago that we saw the first on screen kiss.

Hmm... Says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Are these signs of progressive Bollywood? Or just India jacking traits of western cukture - good or bad!

Avani Says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 pm

I loved the article! Just makes u wonder what bollywood will come up with next!

frank Jones Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 4:29 am

Has the world gone mad????

I might be a bit hardcore but trying to make Gays cool in India is not the right direction Bollywood should take. There are so many people there already(literally billions) so if a few percent of that watch this and decide to let that dormant gay in them lose and become full blown out gays then the worlds gay population going to increase substantially.

Yes I realise the majority of you reading this is going to think let them be, and are they not they people as well? But this is a crime against humanity and not a natural act. Think about it? A plug can only go into a socket and not another plug. As otherwise how would the device work?

I don’t mind people being gay in private or gay choosing to be gays as its their own lives but when the media popularise it and put that message into people’s stupid heads that it’s ok and they starting swaying towards the dark side then that when it goes wrong.

As humans are stupid beings and media plays a big part in people life’s choices and upbringing. So I believe owners and reviewers of this site need to sit down and think about what their political opinion is in life and become more responsible role models by not promoting stuff that goes against humanity and is not right and SHOULD not be socially acceptable disease. (Yes it’s a social disease that needs to be stopped)

Anyway’s sorry to offend all you sheep out there who will jump at this and defend them with their lives. if someone can explain to me why being gay is alright with some good facts and why it isnt wrong then I will humbly apologise and change my opinion of gays in life. Otherwise if you are gay and reading this you need to take a deep look at yourself and realise that’s its wrong, if your slightly curious then dont believe others when they say your born gay, its just a natural tendency for humans to want to try the forbidden fruit. So it doesn’t mean you should publish it or live your life like it.

Water Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 9:27 am

frank Jones, please read up on the scientific research why being gay is alright.

psycological associations and psychiatric association around the world usually provide great summaries on the topic, for e.g.

http://www.apa.org/topics/sorientation.html?imw=Y

as a health professional I feel so embarressed for people who are homophobic and parade their bigotry.

All it takes is a bit of understanding and education.

Also about calling it a “disease”; please let the professionals with qualifications do the diagnosing.

Hope you read the “good facts” and change your misinformed opinion.

And you are right on one thing, humans can be such stupid beings!

qwazi Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 6:44 pm

Water, your link doesn’t provide any real answers about why people are gay.
Its just basically saying “don’t be so mean to them”
There is still no evidence as to why people turn gay. So until them I think I have a right to believe it’s a choice they have made, for whatever reason, even if they don’t think so themselves.

People are easily influenced, the media is great for this, why is so much spent on advertising? Because it works.
So ‘advertising’ and making acceptable the notion of being gay will, I think, lead to more people thinking that theyre gay too or giving them the push to ‘try it out’

Im not a homophobe or bigot. Im not intolerant of gays or any peoples for that matter. I just don’t agree with their lifestyle choice, as I believe its not naturally correct. But its their choice. What I have an ‘issue’ with, if that’s what it is, is the media forcing this lifestyle on society.

qwazi Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

but this bolly film is just a p*ss take anyway

elijah Says:
October 5th, 2008 at 9:42 pm

It is obvious that your support of the Homosexual agenda just shows
how little you know about the exteme perversions and harmfull
exercises that they get involved in to give them that edge in their
orgasms (now that really expresses their care for their fellow man now
doesn’t it?); that would have been considered as assult in a court of
law a few years back. Just look at one of the sponsors of the Folsom
Street Fair called “Straight Hell”, now if you want to have these
pshycopaths to run loose you will allow the destuction of the Country
you hold so dear. They are the sadists, rapists, pedophiles and
destuctive in nature to themselves and every one around them. You may
think that they are oppressed for being gay but what right do they
have as a community to demand anything if they haven’t given us
anything that will help our future generation, all they are giving and
spreading is HIV AIDS and STD’S…

Deepika N. Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 1:49 am

Qwazi, I loved how you were respectful!

I don’t think the media being tolerant will make more people gay. I think it will make more people come out and make people more tolerant. But saying it will make more people gay would imply that since almost all the media is heterosexual more gay people should become straight cause they would want to “try that out” haha

So if the media can force a lifestyle on society as u say, and as pretty much all the media is straight in our society, there should be no gay people to begin with…

qwazi Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 10:55 am

what have you been watching? theres gayness everywhere, films, mags, tv etc.

in the past there was less gayness on tv etc –> there were less gays about
now theres more gayness on tv etc –> more gays about

simple.

frank Jones Says:
October 6th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

tv has a big step in creating gays. It is simple logic really, you watch something you get use to it, then you realise its natural and then let that gay in you out.

As otherwise people wud be afraid to even think about being gay due to it not being a social norm or it wudnt be readily acceptable by all. but now days this is not the case. and that link did not provide any proof.

and i am not a gay basher but a person who believes that media should be a bit more responsible when portraying gays as good. I blame media!!

JanZ Says:
October 7th, 2008 at 11:01 am

You can’t create gays! Number of gay people throughtout history have been stable, like in Ancient Greece etc.

I don’t know about you guys but there is no hidden gay in me! i could watch thousands of gay themed films but I’ll still be into girls.

Khan Says:
October 7th, 2008 at 11:07 am

Looks like a fun film! Will check it out.

IT’S OK TO BE GAY!!

qwazi Says:
October 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm

ancient greece had and big gay thing going on. it was socially acceptable so more people did it just because they could, even if they weren’t ‘really’ gay.

this shows how social norms affect the attitudes and thinkings of people to such an extent as to change natural behaviours

JanZ Says:
October 8th, 2008 at 4:33 am

social norms may affect what people wear etc but not who they find sexually attractive!

ancient greece didnt have a big gay thing going on, they think that only SOME of the population was gay, i think a certain % of people are gay in the population and thats stable over the years.

and what about homosexuality in the animal kingdom eh? what about the homosexual animals? do they have their own media too to make more animals gay?

Katie Says:
October 8th, 2008 at 4:35 am

OMG! falling in love with someone is so much deeper than social norms and what the tv says is ok!!!!

SK Says:
October 8th, 2008 at 4:40 am

I personaly think its ok to be gay. There is a gay person at my work and she is so lovely and kind. She has helped me out heaps during some difficult times recently. She has been with her partner since she was 19 and have a great r/s. And… i was a bit like homopobic too i think but once you actually get to know people who are gay, you realise there are good and bad people in all walks of life, including gays

frank Jones Says:
October 8th, 2008 at 11:58 pm

JanZ I dont know you personally and you may be a intelligent person but it seems you talk without researching into such things. I myself have done extensive research into this, and it seems qwazi also knows what he is talking about. But you talk about facts that you made up.

Media does have an affect on humans, whether you like it or not. Aa agreed by many researchers on this topic, however it is still not concrete.

“social norms may affect what people wear etc but not who they find sexually attractive!” you are correct in stating that social norms may affect what people wear etc but are gravely mistaken on the second part.

As media has made what is considered attractive “now” compared to what has been traditionally attractive. Now majority of people would give their arms and legs to sleep with say eva longoria or pussy cats dolls main singer. But previously the majority would rather have someone thats more on the larger side of life (look at old paintings of females etc).

Another example where media has affected people is violence and gang culture. Due to media potraying this to be cool, this has adversly increased the possibility of this occuring. Although there are greys in this area however most researchers agree on the fact that media does have an effect. Think about apple (there clever marketing tactics make u and I gullible enough to buy that sh*t at over inflated prices)

And that comparison you made was incorrect, s in greek times it was seen socially acceptable and cool to sleep with lil boys and men. There was nothing wrong with having sex with your sister or mother. So are you saying we shud aim to reach that level in society???

As I surely dont want to, and I guess most people dont.

And yes most people who are strong willed wont give into such thoughts of being gay as they know better, so it wouldnt matter what media or anything does. But those that are not so strong will or who are “curious” then all it takes is someone or something like media to push you towards it.

and SK I have nothing against the people, as I myself have a few gay friends (I sound like that person who goes I aint racist I have many coloured friends, lol) But what I dont agree with is media potraying it to be alrite and not showing it to be decremental to society.

Janz Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 1:21 am

Frank jones, in Greek time it was not ok to sleep with ur family, and yeah u do sound like a person that goes i aint racist cause i have friends from diff. backgrouds. And you ARE against gay people, u think its a crime against humanity and a social disease!!!!

I think ur really strange that you are friends with people who in ur opinion preforms crimes against humanity and have a social disease…

If you have done extensive research into gay issues, u would have realised its ok to be gay.

Why do u think its considered ok by doctors and psychologists? they arent stupid rite?

Anyway i think we have to agree to disagree, i believe being gay is ok.

SK Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 1:24 am

Hey,

frank jones you are against gay people, and its so so strange you are firends with gay people when you think its not only wrong, but a crime. I mean I personally would be friends with someone who had a different opinion to me but not someone whom I thought was involved in a ‘crime against humanity’.

AK Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Those who support homosexuality may as well support incest! (and they probably will, given a few changes in societal attitudes!).

Homosexuality and incest are similar;

1. both are based on sexual instincts
2. both have violated clearly established relationship boundaries; homosexuality/gender, incest/siblings
3. both are unnatural (if indeed either of them can be found in a gene, then they should be considered to be “defects” not a mere trait!)
4. both are forbidden by God himself (across various religions).

I am not saying they are identical or the same, but my point is that they share such similar characteristics that they are very comparable.

Why do we “discriminate” against incestuous couples? Do they cause us any direct harm? No they dont. Do they have the “right” to love and live with who they want? Yes they do. (just like homosexuals!!).

Some people argue that incest is worse due to the defects that can arise in children from incestuous relationships. But here’s a question to all those who answered NO:

Q: What if modern medicine finds a way to avoid these “malformations”, what then? Does it now become less of an evil? Does it become ok to commit incest if the male undergoes a vasectomy to avoid impregnating his sister? Of course not! So the medical argument now longer exists - so do you now accept that incest is ok? (I doubt your answer is yes!). So if you and I continue to condemn what incestuous” couples do, then why don’t we “leave them to it” (as you claim homosexuals should be “left to it”) instead of condemning their incest?

I’ll tell you why! - Because society tells you to condemn incest but it doesn’t tell you to condemn homosexuality. That’s the crux of the matter and we shouldn’t be flowing with whatever society dictates tells us to believe!

Muslims, Christians, Jews (and others) - should stick to the word of God, whereas society is flawed and will continue to change and pervert all sense of morality.

frank Jones Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 2:14 pm

I think there will be a lot of arguments regarding this issue, but Janz if you cannot reply back with more of a constructed argument then please do not waste your time.

Yes I got gay friends, what of it? I have friends who are thief’s as well and? most people commit crime of some sort and thats their own personal issue. What people do on their own time is their own issue and not got nothing to do with me. But when media tries to affect society it is then I get angry.

And if your oblivious to what is going round you and what the media do then please go about living your sheepish life agreeing on what the media say and refrain from those with a opinion.

I think what AK said is right, however regardless of what god says in the books, Humans should realise that its wrong. Yes we have got a free choice, but so have we to sleep with our sister, kill/murder, steal etc But it doesn’t make it acceptable.

Can you make a plug work by sticking it into another plug? or has it been designed so it needs a socket? Man was designed/evolved (which ever way you see it - religious/scientific) to breed with opposite sex, end of.

This social disease should be stopped, as should incest, paedophilia, murder, rape etc to make society a better place.

frank Jones Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 2:32 pm

And yes your are right that in ancient greek times it wasn’t ok to sleep with your family, however this still took place. why? well because their gods did it. Hera forbid this practice as that boundary was only to be crossed by herself.

Hera and her husband Zeus wer actually brothers and sisters. Oceanus married his sister Tethys, Saturn was wed to Rhea and even Jupiter married his sister Juno!

So if their gods committed such crimes, then obviously the people are going to do it as this mythology was created by the people. And this was the case by prominent greek leaders doing this. So socially it was acceptable to sleep with your sister back in those days and if you married her then it wouldn’t be seen as a big whoopee. So does that make it right that they slept with their siblings? if you think it does then you are a person who is on a different level to us mere humans.

Tanya Khan Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 2:49 pm

AK: WOW. Never thought of it like that.

AK Says:
October 9th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

I guarantee, that if we do NOT stamp out and refute the so-called “moral justification” for homosexuality today - then in less than 30 years time (given previous rates of moral decline), INCEST will be legalised in the UK and other Western states. Society operates on a sliding scale with regards to morality and cannot be trusted to guide itself. It is up to those with a concrete moral conscience to ensure that society doesn’t destroy itself.

All those who supported homosexuality will be responsible for the moral decline that such disgusting support will bring about.

Homosexuality today, Incest tomorrow.

Copper Pot Says:
October 13th, 2008 at 1:27 am

Homosexuality has nothing to do with incest.

Homosexuality isnt just about sex (or sexual instincts as someone put it) its about love.

Homosexuality have always existed and is only a violation of relationship boudaries that people have made up.

Homosexuality is a natural sexual behaviour

And about religion…well I think all the horrible things that has
been done in the name of religion speaks for themselves

I support homosexuality and I think incest is totally wrong.

Just cause u support homosexulity it dosent mean u support incest and thats actually offenisve to say.

People to need realise that a small percentage of people will ALWAYS be gay, and that will remain constant, their lives will be so much better if we accept it and not be so afraid of it because of our own insecurities… Accepting homosexuality dosent mean more will become gay, it means more people will come out! Its nothing to be afraid of.

peace

Ms.B Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 4:05 pm

probably a remake of some ole hollywood movie!

fugstar Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

hang on.

strategically, if birthrates can be reduced in certain places… is that not a possible sivler lining. i mean the carbon footprints of us in the west are tooo big.

i hope society figures out a way to gracefully deal with this, rather than give up the ghost. no need to be mean though.

AK Says:
October 19th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

Copper Pot: “Homosexuality have always existed and is only a violation of relationship boudaries that people have made up. Homosexuality is a natural sexual behaviour”

Incest has ALSO existed for over a millenia, and in fact it still exists in certain isolated parts of the world. This doesn’t make incest ok and neither should homosexuality be accepted just because it has existed! (murder, rape has also existed since time began!)

There is nothing natural about homosexuality. The notion of a “homosexual gene” is not absolute as you are implying. Alot of scientists reject the notion of a homosexual gene, but being scientists with their ever-inquisitive mind; they remain open to the possibility of it. Most of these claims of a homosexual-gene are conjecture and promoted by gay activists to justify their sick/lewd acts.

Have a read on what some scientists say regarding this faggot-gene theory:

http://www.narth.com/docs/istheregene.html

“Time and time again, scientists have claimed that particular genes or chromosomal regions are associated with behavioral traits, only to withdraw their findings when they were not replicated.

“Unfortunately,” says Yale’s [Dr. Joel] Gelernter, “it’s hard to come up with many” findings linking specific genes to complex human behaviors that have been replicated. “…All were announced with great fanfare; all were greeted unskeptically in the popular press; all are now in disrepute.” - Mann, C. Genes and behavior. Science 264:1687 (1994).

Homosexuality is in fact strongly influenced by the environment, not by genetic influences:

“While the authors interpreted their findings as evidence for a genetic basis for homosexuality, we think that the data in fact provide strong evidence for the influence of the environment” - Billings, P. and Beckwith, J. Technology Review, July, 1993. p. 60.

“… the interaction of genes and environment is much more complicated than the simple “violence genes” and intelligence genes” touted in the popular press.The same data that show the effects of genes, also point to the enormous influence of nongenetic factors” - Mann, C. op. cit. pp. 1686-1689.

So please, with all your liberal claims to civility, before you start expousing the notion of the homosexual gene, perhaps you’d like to consider the fact that homosexuality is not substantiated as a natural norm!

AK Says:
October 19th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

Copper Pot: Homosexuality isnt just about sex (or sexual instincts as someone put it) its about love. Homosexuality have always existed and is only a violation of relationship boudaries that people have made up…. I support homosexuality and I think incest is totally wrong. Just cause u support homosexulity it dosent mean u support incest and thats actually offenisve to say.”

Incestuous couples ALSO claim that their illicit/sick relationship is about love, just like homosexuals claim! There are many small communities throughout the world that accept incest as a natural extension of their liberal attitude.

If you accept homosexuality, then why can’t you accept incest? Incest does not harm anyone else, and if the couple practise safe sex (vasectomy 100% safety), then why should you condemn them or find their action offensive??

In fact, the act of incest is probably more “natural” than homosexuality, cos at least the parts fit! - unlike in a homosexual encounter where everything goes in reverse!! LOL.

p.s. I do not condone incest or homosexuality. I am just trying to prove a point that if you accept homosexuality then you will have to accept incest (whether you like it or not).

qwazi Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

seems the desensitization of incest has begun!

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article4332635.ece

i cant believe it.

im sure in a few years time people will be saying “its ok, its not harming anyone, they love each other, its genetics”!?!?!

the world is going crazy.

qwazi Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 5:20 pm

why doesnt my previous comment come up??

frank jones Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

I still see there are people out ther who still believe in morality and that media is messing people up. AK and qwazi I salute you sir’s for being able to stand up against todays society where people say stuff to satisfy the majority instead of whats rite and what wrong. People who can see what such actions will have on society in the future then all I can say is why care about your carbon footprint!

Only way to make society better is to remove the tight grip media has upon people, especially the sheep like copper pot!

Homosexual behaviour is not rite, however way you look at it!! the sheer fact that we have evolved/created so to have sexual relations with the opposite sex proves this. Yes you could argue, “they are humans” “it is love” “let them be” etc etc etc. But the fact will always remain that its against humanity and such anomalies should be preventedto spread any further by the MEDIA!!

And I agree with AK it an evironmental behaviour, just how must criminals or murders come about.

AK Says:
October 21st, 2008 at 9:25 am

Bringing the focus back onto the article, it seems to me that such movies are typical of the moral sliding scale which society operates on. I haven’t seen the movie, but my guess is that it will attempt to “normalise” the concept of homosexuality in a relatively conservative society such as India (relative to the West, in many ways).

We shouldn’t be surprised by it, but protest we must. Bollywood used to provide an opportunity for a South-Asian family (with traditional decent values) to sit down and enjoy a good movie together. Not so anymore! Sex-on-screen & slutty behaviour means that you can’t enjoy a movie with the family as you used to.

B Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:18 am

I think people can decide for themselves what is wrong, right, and decent. PROVIDED it dosent cause real HARM to others.

Redarding homosexuality, i dont think it matters if its genetic or not, what matter is if its a CHOICE, and IIIII think its not a choice, and III dont see any HARM if a portion of the population being homosexual.

frank jones whats rite and wrong for you is not the same for others. deal with that cause its not going to change.

also the comment above me regarding “decent tradition values”, thats like the caste system, treatment of women and widows yeah?

Reaux Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:44 am

i was just reading the interesting comments.

and i just noticed that someone used the word “faggot”.

That is not cool! you cant say that. you can have your own opinion about any issue. but you cannot be abusive. It just refelects badly on you.

AK Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am

B: “I think people can decide for themselves what is wrong, right, and decent. PROVIDED it dosent cause real HARM to others.”

By that definition, you probably think incest is ok, since it doesn’t cause harm to others? (again, please don’t use the argument that it causes deformed babies, a simple vasectomy gets rid of that factor!).

B: “decent tradition values”, thats like the caste system, treatment of women and widows yeah?”

I said DECENT traditional values. If you’re referring to the hindu caste system, well then no, that is not what I meant. I was merely referring to the values of modesty (should’ve been rather obvious judging by my previous comments about sex-on-screen!).

AK Says:
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:35 am

I think most of the liberal sort are victims of society’s downward trend with regards to moral values. The funny thing is that they can’t bring themselves to admit it.

B Says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 am

I think most of the conservative sort are victims of misinformation, insecurity and (therefore)unkindness. The funny thing is that they can’t bring themselves to admit it.

BrissyIndianGirl Says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 am

Just learning relevant things at uni and thought id copy and paste some stuff from the APA.

Is sexual orientation a choice?
No. For most people, sexual orientation emerges in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience. Some people report trying very hard over many years to change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual, with no success. For these reasons, psychologists do not consider sexual orientation for most people to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed. People don’t choose their sexual orientation; they can of course choose the kind of a life they want to live.

Is homosexuality a mental illness or emotional problem?
No. Psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder or emotional problem. However negative attitudes towards homosexuality can result in gay and lesbian people having negative thoughts about themselves, which can result in emotional and/or social problems.

In the past, homosexuality was thought to be a mental illness because mental health professionals and society had biased information about homosexuality. Most of that information came from studies that only involved lesbians and gay men undergoing therapy for problems. When researchers examined data about gay people who were not in therapy, the idea that homosexuality was a mental illness was found to be untrue.

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association confirmed the importance of the new research by removing the term ‘homosexuality’ from the official manual that lists all mental and emotional disorders. In 1975, the American Psychological Association passed a resolution supporting this action and additional research findings have subsequently reaffirmed this decision. All mental health professionals are now urged to help dispel the stigma of mental illness that some people still associate with homosexual orientation.

What can be done to help lesbians and gay men overcome prejudice and discrimination against them?
The people who have the most positive attitudes toward homosexuality are those who say they know well one or more same-sex attracted persons. For this reason, psychologists believe negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians are not grounded in actual experience with lesbians or gay men, but on stereotypes and prejudice.

Furthermore, protection against violence and discrimination are very important, just as they are for other minority groups. Some states have laws against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Why is it important for society to be better educated about homosexuality?
Educating all people about sexual orientation and homosexuality is likely to lessen anti-gay prejudice and minimise the risk of harassment and discrimination. Accurate information about homosexuality is especially important to young people struggling with their own sexual identity. Although it is unclear what determines sexual orientation, those who study human development consider that what determines it takes place very early in life. Therefore fears that access to information about homosexuality will affect one’s sexual orientation are not valid.

bye

qwazi Says:
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm

inconclusive

BrissyIndianGirl Says:
October 24th, 2008 at 12:44 am

inconclusive?! are you aware of what that word means??

Is sexual orientation a choice? NO.
Is homosexuality a mental illness or emotional problem? NO.

that a conclusion.

qwazi Says:
October 24th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

no i dont know what it means, it just sounded nice to me.

inconclusive.

qwazi Says:
October 24th, 2008 at 1:36 pm

what about this?

BrissyIndianGirl Says:
October 25th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

haha

firstly u got ur info from a website of a group that makes alot of money form promising gay people they can change when they particpate in their therapy…

secondly, and more importantly the APA (which is unbiased) is not saying homosexuality is genetic, its saying its NOT A CHOICE. Surely its not that hard to understand…

pinkpetal Says:
October 25th, 2008 at 10:02 pm

@ BrissyIndianGirl- at least AK, qwazi and frank jones are showing their true opinions and standing up for what they believe in instead of copying and pasting some stuff to show what they’re thinking. Just because society says homosexuality is normal it does not make it so. It is against nature,against God whatever way you look at it. And yes the environment does play a factor in how people behave including their sexuality.
Having said that if people wanted to do something about homosexuality I’d say fix other problems first such as rapists and paedophiles ’cause they are causing extreme harm. Still don’t think homosexuality or incest is ok though.

BrissyIndianGirl Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 12:01 am

pinkpetal read the comments before you say things that arent true. ak also coppied and pasted stuff and qwazi posted a link to a website, i copied and pasted “some stuff” to say why I think its ok to be gay.

And the ’some stuff’ I copied and pasted were the guidelines from the
APA.

And they way i look at it homosexuality isnt against nature.

I think we should FIRST fix racsim, homophobia, sexism and other injustices cause they are causing extreme harm in our society!

AK Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 1:29 am

Brissy,

I used my own arguments to condemn homosexuality, and only referred to sections of independent studies to support my claim. I did NOT merely copy/paste entire sections and rely on other opinions to substantiate my claims, but rather relied on reasoning/logic.

Anyway go back to the discussion, shall we?

Ashish Kumar Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 9:39 am

Abhishek is one sexy, delicious-looking man! :-D I will certainly be seeing this movie!!!!

H. Bomb Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 9:57 am

I truly feel sorry for the people here who who claim homosexuality is a “choice.” As a heterosexual male, I can tell you that there was NEVER a point in my life when I made a “choice” to be attracted to girls, for I readily had a biological inclination toward them and only them.

However, since alotta you claim sexual orientation is a “choice,” I can sort of understand why you may get worked up over such a movie… Two Bollywood heartthrobs acting homosexually could very well make YOU go back on your “choice” to be a heterosexual! Ohhhhhhhh… Imagine how embarrassing THAT would be! On the other hand, perhaps if you were more secure in your own sexual orientation (whether it’s your “choice” or not), you wouldn’t get so worked up over someone else’s?

Seriously, tho, I never “chose” to be heterosexual, it was biologically instilled in me; thus is the same for people who are homosexual.

And lastly, there is NO need to hold animosity toward homosexuals or their sexual orientation since neither are hurting you in any way whatsoever. (of course, unless your wife/girlfriend ran off with the lesbian down the street because you just weren’t cutting it for her!)

No, I probably will NOT see this crappy movie (I’ve seen only a handful of Bollywood flicks in my life), but I just thought I’d say something here against all the amazingly dumb and hateful comments.

qwazi Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

ur arguments are very childish

“ur gay! thats why ur saying he’s gay!”

yeh, ok.

H. Bomb Says:
December 5th, 2008 at 11:27 pm

Right. Now try looking at everything I said BESIDES that halfly-serious paragraph. (oh right… you probably did but just have no logical retort against it)

qwazi Says:
December 6th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

how about u read ur own post before posting. there was nothing else logical or worth mentioning.

and iv already replied with logic, theory and background to this topic.

Categorized | Bollywood

Bollywood tackles Homosexuality with Dostana

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