The Indian minister called homosexuality an "unnatural" disease
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
In India, in which only in 2009 homosexuality ceased to be considered a criminal offense, harassment of sexual minorities continues. Thus, the Minister of Health of the country stated that homosexuality is an "unnatural" disease that "spreads" rapidly in India.
"Despite the fact that homosexuality is unnatural, it exists in our country and spreads quickly, which makes it difficult to identify it," the official said.
"Homosexual relations, which are more common in developed countries, now unfortunately come to our country," said Indian Minister of Health Gulam Nabi Azad at a conference on AIDS in Delhi. "Despite the fact that (homosexuality) is unnatural, it exists in our country and spreads quickly, which makes it difficult to identify it." "Relationships are changing, now men have sex with men, it is now easier to find female prostitutes and enlighten them, but to find men who have sex with other men is problematic," complained Gulam Nabi Azad.
However, representatives of organizations that advocate for the rights of sexual minorities condemned the minister's speech, calling his words irrelevant. And the UN special rapporteur on the right to health, Anand Grover, openly criticized the Indian official: "It's unfortunate, regrettable and completely inappropriate that a minister of this caliber ... Is immune to the problems of such vulnerable groups such as gays."
Note that only in 2009 homosexual relations ceased to be a criminal offense in India. The court overturned the law in force from colonial times, in which homosexual relations were defined as "a crime against the human nature". This court ruling was widely welcomed by the gay community of India, which hoped that discrimination in their country would end.