Sexuality is a taboo in India

Editor-I completely agree with Balji Ravichandran on the need for change in attitude in India about sexuality.¹ Being a student of the same college I have also witnessed the horrifying prejudice against homosexual people and patients with AIDS.

The primary reason for teachers and students shying away from the topic is because of their strong views formed at an earlier age. At the beginning of adolescence itself, when children come up with queries regarding sex, parents here tend to hush them up or change the topic. This makes them think that sex is taboo and at their mouldable age form extremely unscientific and inappropriate views.

The issue of homosexuality needs to be discussed at the family and school level. Many students here think that anything outside textbooks is abnormal and they swear by information from textbooks. Changing this attitude needs the cooperation of students and teachers as well as the authorities, who at the least have to repeal the barbaric criminalisation of homosexuality.

I come from an extremely conservative society, and the only reason for my open views on sexuality are my open minded family. All my queries regarding sex were answered in a scientific manner by my parents, and I too do my best to answer queries posed by my younger brother.

Parents should keep in mind the grave dangers posed by bigotry and prejudice and sensitise their children to the atrocities committed against so called abnormal people. Please teach your children to respect the views of everyone-there is no one who is "normal."

1. Ravichandran B. Straight outta India. studentBMJ 2005;13:259. (June.)