*Names have been changed.

A couple of years ago, I wrote a post about Lavanya*, a friend of mine who stayed true to her sexuality, an act of great courage in hypocritical Chennai. If you cared to read the story, you would have known that she and her lover Aparna* walked out of their parents' homes and started to live together. What is even more gallant about them is that both women belong to the so called "Higher Caste", you know, the Brahmin Community. They haven't gotten married or anything, as the law here does not recognize same sex marriage, but they are living together, as lovers, happily.

I already have great admiration for these two beautiful, courageous women, but what cemented my eternal respect for them is the common sense shown and how they responded to the threats they received from their respective families; money-wise and physical threats as well. Lavanya and Aparna didn't come out of the closet until they finished their college and settled into well paying jobs, really displaying common sense that is quite rare among most people their age. Once, one of their parents (I don't remember which girl's parents), hired some local rowdies (paid hoods) to threaten and frighten them into returning back. Their response was the epitome of calm and level-headedness. These girls aren't stupid, they have a lot of friends, friends who had connections they weren't afraid to use. They lodged a police complaint for eve-teasing and sexual harassment against the rowdies, I'm sure they even purposefully exaggerated their fear. The police here take eve teasing complaints rather seriously, and if the complainants pass along a bit of cash and also happen to have some friends in high places, then, end of story. The girls haven't had any trouble since.

Well, the reason I am writing this post is that the both of them decided to take their relationship to the next logical step: start a family of their own. They already live together, and now they have adopted a baby from one of the orphanages around the city, that too, a very cute baby girl. Its a good thing that they didn't go for all that 'I want a baby with your genes' crap and instead gave a life to an abandoned child who needed a loving family. Now, they really are a beautiful family, in the most literal sense. Both the girls are exceptionally beautiful, and the new baby girl, they've named her Ramya, is also extraordinarily beautiful, even as beautiful as all babies go. This has put to rest the doubts of many people, even mine, that the girls will eventually succumb to societal norms and family pressure and split up. Furthermore, to cement the bonds of their spanking new family, they are planning to buy a house in one of those posh townships that are cropping up all over suburban Chennai.

Truly girls, you continue to amaze me!

I wonder:
The law against homosexuality, Art. 377 of the Indian Penal Code (enacted by the Victorian British in the 1890s), prohibits acts against "the order of nature." But the law states that such acts require "penetration". I may be wrong, but isn't there a loophole here? Lesbians technically cannot penetrate anything naturally (tools and aids didn't figure into the legal picture), so shouldn't they be exempt according to the law as it is currently worded?

Today i thought i should make a long delayed effort to sort my room. You know, employ the "Kaizen" principles for improving the efficiency of my little abode. Jeez, there is a whole lot of junk in there, so much that........well i can't think of an example now.

Anyway, i was going through all the boxes and other stuff when i came across some old issues of Reader's Digest. Now, Reader's Digest is one of the magazines that i like most, mainly on account of it having some really good content and not just fillers and useless junk. I like to read the "True Story" section, the people featured are very inspiring. Well, as i went through them, i was remembered a this-is-a-real-story account of a rather well known scientist. A scientist who was born blind. I will not go into the details, it is not needed now. I don't seem to remember the name of that scientist, but i clearly remember one thing about him. The thing is, there was one statement made by that Scientist when he was a little boy, around 10 years old. It was his reply to a question asked of him by his parents.

He said, "Yes, God is great. But so am I."

Such a simple statement, but so much powerful. It shows the sheer gumption and the amount of confidence that the boy had in himself at that tender age, when he was born blind and had no guarantee that he will gain the ability to see one day. That boy is now a world renowned man of science who has made a great deal of contribution to his chosen field.


yours truly, The RA

Long time huh ?

Well, this week has turned up some rather very interesting turn of events, for me at least. You see, I have not come in close contact with something like this in person, I have only seen it in movies, read about them in magazines, newspapers etc. But to come in personal contact with something like this is...............heartening.

There is this woman named as Lavanya* with whom I have had the pleasure of being a friend. I have known her for only some time now, but my respect for her has grown by leaps and bounds. And that is something that the people who know me will say "You're kidding". Because I give my respect to those who deserve it, and it doesn't come with money, power or age or anything like that. The only factor is the measure of their actions.

Alrite, let us get back to the story.
This woman Lavanya, is someone that one would call as "A rising star". I mean, she has everything going for her, she is beautiful, sexy, smart, funny and a complete roit to be around with. She belongs to a respectable "Brahmin" family, loads of money, a big joint family that absolutely dotes on her. Now, as expected, her parents started to look for suitable alliances for their "Darling Princess", and as expected she had quite a lot of them. You know, the usual, the Handsome, Good mannered NRI who is swimming in money and also the Successful Iyer boys back here. Yada yada yada, the usual story.

But therein lies the twist. This girl, Lavanya rejected every one of them and declared to her parents that she was not interested in marriage. Now, her parents are a bit liberal-minded and said they would accept anyone that she probably was in love with. But, she relayed that she wasn't in love, she just was not interested in being somebody's wife. They kept pressing her for the reason that she didn't want to get married. And the reason that she said literally gave them heart attacks.

Lavanya, is Homosexual. Yes, she is a lesbian. Her family, naturally, was in denial. They thought she was out of her mind, and tried to change her mind, saying that it's not true, that she's just thinking that she is. Then they started to bully her into marriage, telling her that it is wrong, that homosexuals are perverts, and all that stuff. Come on people, grow up. They even blackmailed her that the family honor would be shattered, that they would commit suicide, that they wouldn't give her any property etc, if she did not acede to marriage. But, for once, a woman stood her ground and was strong enough to stay true to herself. She was a mature woman who was confident about herself and her own sexuality. And you know what she did ?

She walked out on her family. She is now living in with her girlfriend, they rented out a separate apartment. The thing is, the other woman, Aparna* is also from a conservative Brahmin family, and she too experienced the same animosity from her family and her community. As far as I know them, the two of them wouldn't give a damn about what anyone thinks of them. As far as they are concerned, they have good jobs, a good home.......and each other. They are now living happily together, and also thinking of adopting a child in the future.

Now, I don't know about you, but I don't know many people who would do what they did. That too, both hailing from conservative Brahmin families. If this is not courage, then what is. I dont understand why people make such a big deal, why such animosity against Homosexuals. I mean, one's sexuality is one's own business, but still people feel that they have the goddamed right to butt into it, comment on, and dictate terms. I feel disgusted by these so called "normal people" and would gladly tell them where they can go. Well, Lavanya & Aparna, I have the greatest respect and admiration for you guys and I wish you a wonderful life together.

GODSPEED........and good luck

yours truly, The RA

* Names have been changes to protect identities. Not that they need it, but still.