“Same-Same is No More Shame-Shame?” Sexuality vs Nationality, what evokes more passion and attention?

The passion and attention the issue of gay, lesbian and same sex has attracted is path-breaking. Heart-breaking too. Not just because I’m opposed to the very idea of this sexual pedagogy. Also not because of the reason that theology or the tradition condemns this.

For some, it may be an issue of identity of self as an individual who may have strong belief in alternate sexual behaviour and identity. But, the question I would like to ask is whether it is this identity of someone as an individual (with overt sexual expression) that holds more importance or is it the nation and national issues that evoke more passion.

24 hours since I shared this question on some forums and my mail has been flooded with mixed responses, reactions, reasoning and perspectives – all full with passion.

The question goes – Sexuality or Nationality? What unearths more passion? For, I didn’t see this kind of coverage for any issue related to nationality and national development in the past decade as the issue of gay and same sex has attracted. Even if this is because it is a historical judgement, there have been bigger instances of national significance when we felt, it deserved bigger and better public and media attention.

The responses I am receiving are good enough to exhort, exhilirate as well shock a common Indian. That the media has forgotten its responsibility and role is something few would disagree with. It is all about TRP and market-driven content generation where everything that sells makes sense. From an item number to an item girl, rape to pedophilia and, unreal reality to rotten jokes everything sells better than a story or copy on a relevant subject.

Because it is much easier to cash-in on what is already in demand, the marketers know they should not tamper the status quo when the going is good. So, no need to alter what already sells.

I am leaving this blogpost incomplete as I await some more responses to bring you the full story.

Looking forward and, awaiting your mails.

deepaksingh@youngturks.in