Sodomism in Goa
Goa-Goans Discussion Group
Message 9632
From: Press Report from Goa
Date: Thu Jan 9, 2003 1:41 am
Subject: Crime to be gay at Indian weddings?
PANAJI, Goa, January 8. IANS
Days after it took place, a gay wedding here still has India talking, particularly about laws that do not recognise marriages between the same sex.
It involved one of India's most prominent fashion designers Wendell Rodricks, who hails from Goa, and his French partner Jerome.
The occasion, which has drawn some attention from the international gay circuit, could embarrass the Indian government into doing a rethink on its laws that call such a union illegal, many say.
The event made it to the headlines, with various Mumbai-based newspapers and celebrity writers commenting on it.
365gay.com, an international Web site, reported that the "first gay civil union ceremony in India has been held under the glare of media attention."
"Gay unions are not only illegal in India, but gay sex is punishable by imprisonment. The ceremony was conducted by a senior consular official from the French government."
The Web site said while Indian government officials refused to comment, "the public act and the publicity that accompanied it puts increased pressure on the government to strike down the anti-gay laws which date back to the days of the British empire."
In Goa itself, the event stayed outside media spotlight and newspaper readers in the small state of 1.35 million were clueless about the controversy.
Rodricks said he was not eager about "communicating to any press". But, he suggested, the news had been met with an "overwhelming positive reaction."
The caution is understandable. Goa, in spite of its image as a hedonistic fun centre, is actually a
society based on fairly conservative mores.
The ceremony undertaken was not a "wedding" as most media commentators called it. It was a legal document, called PCAS (Pacte Civil de Solidarite) that is valid only in France.
The Web site said: "Gay civil unions are legal in France, and since Jerome is French, the union is considered legal. The couple signed an official French partnership register flown in for the occasion."
It noted that some of the biggest names in the Indian entertainment industry were on hand for the ceremony. The duo has spent some 20 years together, between Paris and Goa, other reports said.
Message 9636
From: "Prakash John Mascarenhas
Date: Thu Jan 9, 2003 10:56 am
Subject: Re: Crime to be gay at Indian weddings?
Despite what anybody else says, I think that if the Inquisition was still around, people like these monstrous sodomites (Wendell) or Remo ("Lets share gods!") would have not been left loose on society, but would have been put where they belong - the garbage bin!
Viva Torquemada!
Prakash Joao Maskaren (pro Dei et Patria!)
Message 9641
From: Cecil Pinto [email protected]
Date: Fri Jan 10, 2003 5:28 pm
Subject: Does Prakash Mascarenhas want to revisit the Inquisition?
I don't quite get it. What is Prakash trying to say?
Cecil
Message 9655
From: "Prakash John Mascarenhas
Date: Sat Jan 11, 2003 10:27 pm
Subject: Re: Does Prakash Mascarenhas want to revisit the Inquisition?
Dear Friend, - You DID get it.
That may be shocking to you, but if you were a Catholic, and truly one, you might want to investigate the truth of your faith. I advise, if I may, the Radio Replies.
Re Thomas of Turrecremata, the first Grand Inquisitor of Spain, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14783a.htm
Sincerely,
Prakash Joao Maskaren
Message 9684
From: Cecil Pinto
Date: Mon Jan 13, 2003 1:55 pm
Subject: Will Prakash clearly state HIS views?
Again he makes reference to the Inquistion but does not CLEARLY state HIS views on the 'sodomites' he mentioned earlier.
Secondly my being a Catholic or not has no relevance in this matter. I am questioning Prakash's statements and not his religion. My religion, or lack of it, does not come into the picture.
Cecil
Message 9696
From: Prakash John Mascarenhas
Date: Mon Jan 13, 2003 10:54 pm
Subject: Re: Will Prakash clearly state HIS views?
Dear Sir, - Kindly state what it is you want clarified by me, for that is not at all obvious (to me). If you want an explicit clarification, cite explicitly the statements you want clarified.
Thanks.
Prakash Joao Maskaren
Message 9697
From: Douglas Paul
Date: Mon Jan 13, 2003 11:38 pm
Subject: Re: Crime to be gay at Indian weddings?
If the Inquisition was still around this forum would probably not be in existence. The Inquisition was based on conformity with one (very narrow) set of views, and persecuted those who strayed. I value the freedom we all have to express our views, and the ability to live in
accordance with our values as long as we do no physical harm to others. PJM rightly points out that the Inquisition would not tolerate the likes of Wendell and Remo, but this would be our/society's loss. By exposing us to new/different ideas, diversity and freedom of expression help make this world a better place. I sincerely hope that we continue to be respectful of the views, lives, and life choices of others.
Douglas Paul