Posted:
BOLLYWOOD IS FILLED WITH CLOSET GAYS'
Sanyukta Iyer
Mumbai Mirror | Apr 16, 2015
Says actress and BJP MP, Kirron Kher, who is now the 'face' of the LGBT community.
Despite representing a political party known for its staunch Hindutva ideologies, Kirron Kher is fearless and completely committed to the LGBT community in the country.
Excerpts from an interview:
Do you have a personal connection with the cause?
One's prayer and pleasure are personal business. Which God I pray to and what turns me on in bed are private matters. I've a mixed bag of friends who are homosexuals, heterosexuals and bi-sexuals. Their sexual orientation does not define our friendship.
Films like Dostana, in which you played a stereotypical mother aghast at her son's gay sexuality, were hits but did it really help the LGBT community?
See, as far as Dostana goes, ultimately my character was warm and accepting of her gay son. It took Indian parents years to accept their mentally challenged children and now finally, our country is open to talking about other mental diseases. The day parents fight the social and moral taboos surrounding the LGBT community we'll have tackled the issue.
Even before you became the 'face' of the LGBT community you told Mr. Gay India 2014, Sushant Divgikar, on the reality show, India's Got Talent, that you will fight for the rights of the community?
I hosted the talk show Purushkshetra that discussed alternative sexuality for the first time on Indian television. Even thought the show only aired for a short duration, it focussed on homosexuality and women in a patriarchal society like ours. I have been supportive of the LGBT community since the very beginning. Why should anyone be against it?
How did you party react to the decision to campaign for gay rights?
There are many in power who are against Section 377 but there are also those who support it. The first thing I would like to do is introduce educational programs which will help people understand the scientific and medical history of homosexuality. This will eradicate the stereotype that men have a choice in deciding their sexual preferences.
What should be the film fraternity's agenda to support the cause?
Films help minorities. The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Singh Is King have been the 'face' of the Sikh community in Bollywood and helped us move on from portraying Sardars are 'funny characters'. Bollywood is filled with closeted gays who pretend to be straight. It will take a long time for people to be open about the issue. The change definitely needs to start with our film industry.
Despite representing a political party known for its staunch Hindutva ideologies, Kirron Kher is fearless and completely committed to the LGBT community in the country.
Excerpts from an interview:
Do you have a personal connection with the cause?
One's prayer and pleasure are personal business. Which God I pray to and what turns me on in bed are private matters. I've a mixed bag of friends who are homosexuals, heterosexuals and bi-sexuals. Their sexual orientation does not define our friendship.
Films like Dostana, in which you played a stereotypical mother aghast at her son's gay sexuality, were hits but did it really help the LGBT community?
See, as far as Dostana goes, ultimately my character was warm and accepting of her gay son. It took Indian parents years to accept their mentally challenged children and now finally, our country is open to talking about other mental diseases. The day parents fight the social and moral taboos surrounding the LGBT community we'll have tackled the issue.
Even before you became the 'face' of the LGBT community you told Mr. Gay India 2014, Sushant Divgikar, on the reality show, India's Got Talent, that you will fight for the rights of the community?
I hosted the talk show Purushkshetra that discussed alternative sexuality for the first time on Indian television. Even thought the show only aired for a short duration, it focussed on homosexuality and women in a patriarchal society like ours. I have been supportive of the LGBT community since the very beginning. Why should anyone be against it?
How did you party react to the decision to campaign for gay rights?
There are many in power who are against Section 377 but there are also those who support it. The first thing I would like to do is introduce educational programs which will help people understand the scientific and medical history of homosexuality. This will eradicate the stereotype that men have a choice in deciding their sexual preferences.
What should be the film fraternity's agenda to support the cause?
Films help minorities. The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Singh Is King have been the 'face' of the Sikh community in Bollywood and helped us move on from portraying Sardars are 'funny characters'. Bollywood is filled with closeted gays who pretend to be straight. It will take a long time for people to be open about the issue. The change definitely needs to start with our film industry.
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