Hindus and gay rights - collected views
What do Hindus/Hinduism/Hindu scriptures think about homosexuality/gay rights/gay marriage' ?
Hindus - professors, students, scholars, swamis, pandits, devotees, skeptics - have replied with different answers based on their rationale.
In the Caribbean, religious leaders are often called on to pronounce on 'gay rights' and 'homosexuality' .
Caribbean Hindu practice has been influenced by colonialism. There is a desire, where controversial issues arise, to appeal to conservative views so as not to be seen to be so 'morally' different from some forms of Christianity or Islam.
Hindus around the world have been talking about human rights and about homosexuality.
This blog post is a collection of some of the resources which discuss homosexuality and gay rights. There is a bias in this post to highlight those resources where Hindus affirm equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons.
Hindu practices and thought are diverse, and a critical feature of Hinduism is the questioning and adapting and application of the teachings based on time and geography.
In the context of 'gay rights' there are going to be Pandits and Swamis who would talk about 'dirty Western impositions' while other Swamis and Pandits have sought to have vivah ceremonies for same sex couples (not marriage) and have encouraged their LGBT devotees to live with integrity.
Hinduism and Human Rights
The modern concepts of Human Rights evolved after the horrors of World War 2.
There are many controversies with many religious beliefs in terms of how these human rights are implemented. Dharmic traditions - like Hinduism - usually speak about duties and obligations, rather than rights - Article 29 of the UDHR would probably be most relevant "1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible."
There are two books "Hinduism and Human Rights : A Conceptual Approach"and Hindu Narratives on Human Rights by Professor Arvind Sharma. Professor Sharma wrote this interesting short article "Past Injustices and Present Opportunities: Hinduism and Human Rights"
Ram Madhav's 2008 address to the WCC also presents some thoughts on Hinduism and human rights .
Hinduism and homosexuality (and Gay Marriage)
Professor Arvind Sharma does some analysis in his chapter "Homosexuality and Hinduism" in the book Homosexuality and World Religions (1993) ed Arlene Swidler.
The book Same-sex love in India: readings from literature and history (2001) by Ruth Vanita, Ruth and Saleem Kidwai provides much more details about how Hindu texts have dealt with same-sex desire and fluid gender identities.
Wikipedia also has an interesting article which leads on to others.
I received this anonymous paper (author "Brahman") in 2009 which includes arguments against Hindu homophobia and a short discussion on Hindu concepts of sin
The ISKCON Paper "Vaisnava Moral Theology and Homosexuality, by Hridayananda das Gosvami Acaryadeva California, USA, February 2005 " is frustratingly inconclusive in that it provides neither yes nor No - very much in the tradition of reasoning which allows the devotee to decide.
The Hindu American Foundation also discussed Homosexuality and Hinduism, reflecting on the Sruti/Sriti differences (Sruti roughly the original scriptures, Sriti the law books which could change) and called for acceptance of LGBT persons.
The Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association has its own views on the Hindu acceptance of same sex relationships and persons with same sex desires - referring to the third gender.
There are different identities and sexual behaviours which have been recorded in Indian and Hindu writings. There is one quote which I cannot find which said that there are about 35 different Sanskrit words which explain these different identities/orientations/practices.
The Ramayana in Uttara Kand 87 refers to the 'napumsuk' - a historical recognition that man and woman are not the only genders
Hindus in and from the Caribbean
The question of Gay Marriage is one which is asked often to religious leaders and often brings a resounding NO.
The late Pandit Reepun Daman Persaud of Guyana is quoted in this Guyana Times article of 12 August, 2012 as saying that he would oppose the legalizing of same-sex relations and makes reference to the 'influence of first world socieities' He however said 'we will not discriminate'. In Trinidad, Dharmacharya Pandit Maharaj has similar views about accepting everyone regardless of sexual orientation, but no gay marriage. In Trinidad, Pandita Indrani Rampersad of the Hindu Women's Organisation of Trinidad & Tobago has expressed stronger supportive views of equality.
Professor Anantanand Rambachan (of Trinidadian origins) wrote to his fellow Hindus in Minnesota about supporting same sex marriage emphasizing compassion. This is an extract from a discourse he gave in January 2019 (video )
A 2010 article in Hinduism Today ' Guyana's Hindus face Gay quandary" reflects on some of the affirmative views of young Hindu leaders in Guyana.
Swami Aksharanada's 2010 Letter to the Editor called for reason when discussing gay rights.
Pandit Rajin Balgobind from Guyana believes that "two people, regardless of gender, should be able to be together so long as they live dharmic lives."
The idea again, of rights and dharma/duty also emerged this year when Swami Aksharananda stated that he did not believe that Homosexuality is abomination in Hinduism. He also spoke about supporting any person in their quest for integrity and standing by them.
(Video extracted from Demerara Waves )
In the Caribbean, there are many places where Hindu voices are silent on social justice issues. The resources listed here help Hindus who want to support equality not only for LGBT persons, but for all persons. There is a need to explain to Hindus how laws which criminalise same sex activity create an environment for discrimination and violence against LGBT citizens.
This brilliant 2015 conversation in Trinidad and Tobago shares some more perspectives
Therefore, It is contradictory to say 'we do not want to legalize same - sex relations' but 'we will not discriminate' .
In June 2018, Pandit Deodat Persaud wrote on his Facebook page. He is the President of the Golden Om Dharmic Youth Organisation and is a commissioner on the Ethnic Relations Commission.
"
Please let me know vidyak1 (at) gmail (dot) com if there are any others resources I could add .
Hindus - professors, students, scholars, swamis, pandits, devotees, skeptics - have replied with different answers based on their rationale.
In the Caribbean, religious leaders are often called on to pronounce on 'gay rights' and 'homosexuality' .
Caribbean Hindu practice has been influenced by colonialism. There is a desire, where controversial issues arise, to appeal to conservative views so as not to be seen to be so 'morally' different from some forms of Christianity or Islam.
Hindus around the world have been talking about human rights and about homosexuality.
This blog post is a collection of some of the resources which discuss homosexuality and gay rights. There is a bias in this post to highlight those resources where Hindus affirm equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons.
Hindu practices and thought are diverse, and a critical feature of Hinduism is the questioning and adapting and application of the teachings based on time and geography.
In the context of 'gay rights' there are going to be Pandits and Swamis who would talk about 'dirty Western impositions' while other Swamis and Pandits have sought to have vivah ceremonies for same sex couples (not marriage) and have encouraged their LGBT devotees to live with integrity.
Hinduism and Human Rights
The modern concepts of Human Rights evolved after the horrors of World War 2.
There are many controversies with many religious beliefs in terms of how these human rights are implemented. Dharmic traditions - like Hinduism - usually speak about duties and obligations, rather than rights - Article 29 of the UDHR would probably be most relevant "1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible."
There are two books "Hinduism and Human Rights : A Conceptual Approach"and Hindu Narratives on Human Rights by Professor Arvind Sharma. Professor Sharma wrote this interesting short article "Past Injustices and Present Opportunities: Hinduism and Human Rights"
Ram Madhav's 2008 address to the WCC also presents some thoughts on Hinduism and human rights .
Hinduism and homosexuality (and Gay Marriage)
Professor Arvind Sharma does some analysis in his chapter "Homosexuality and Hinduism" in the book Homosexuality and World Religions (1993) ed Arlene Swidler.
The book Same-sex love in India: readings from literature and history (2001) by Ruth Vanita, Ruth and Saleem Kidwai provides much more details about how Hindu texts have dealt with same-sex desire and fluid gender identities.
Wikipedia also has an interesting article which leads on to others.
I received this anonymous paper (author "Brahman") in 2009 which includes arguments against Hindu homophobia and a short discussion on Hindu concepts of sin
The ISKCON Paper "Vaisnava Moral Theology and Homosexuality, by Hridayananda das Gosvami Acaryadeva California, USA, February 2005 " is frustratingly inconclusive in that it provides neither yes nor No - very much in the tradition of reasoning which allows the devotee to decide.
The Hindu American Foundation also discussed Homosexuality and Hinduism, reflecting on the Sruti/Sriti differences (Sruti roughly the original scriptures, Sriti the law books which could change) and called for acceptance of LGBT persons.
The Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association has its own views on the Hindu acceptance of same sex relationships and persons with same sex desires - referring to the third gender.
There are different identities and sexual behaviours which have been recorded in Indian and Hindu writings. There is one quote which I cannot find which said that there are about 35 different Sanskrit words which explain these different identities/orientations/practices.
The Ramayana in Uttara Kand 87 refers to the 'napumsuk' - a historical recognition that man and woman are not the only genders
 |
| Extract from Uttara Kand 87 of the Sri Ramcaritmanas |
Hindus in and from the Caribbean
The question of Gay Marriage is one which is asked often to religious leaders and often brings a resounding NO.
The late Pandit Reepun Daman Persaud of Guyana is quoted in this Guyana Times article of 12 August, 2012 as saying that he would oppose the legalizing of same-sex relations and makes reference to the 'influence of first world socieities' He however said 'we will not discriminate'. In Trinidad, Dharmacharya Pandit Maharaj has similar views about accepting everyone regardless of sexual orientation, but no gay marriage. In Trinidad, Pandita Indrani Rampersad of the Hindu Women's Organisation of Trinidad & Tobago has expressed stronger supportive views of equality.
Professor Anantanand Rambachan (of Trinidadian origins) wrote to his fellow Hindus in Minnesota about supporting same sex marriage emphasizing compassion. This is an extract from a discourse he gave in January 2019 (video )
A 2010 article in Hinduism Today ' Guyana's Hindus face Gay quandary" reflects on some of the affirmative views of young Hindu leaders in Guyana.
Swami Aksharanada's 2010 Letter to the Editor called for reason when discussing gay rights.
Pandit Rajin Balgobind from Guyana believes that "two people, regardless of gender, should be able to be together so long as they live dharmic lives."
The idea again, of rights and dharma/duty also emerged this year when Swami Aksharananda stated that he did not believe that Homosexuality is abomination in Hinduism. He also spoke about supporting any person in their quest for integrity and standing by them.
(Video extracted from Demerara Waves )
In the Caribbean, there are many places where Hindu voices are silent on social justice issues. The resources listed here help Hindus who want to support equality not only for LGBT persons, but for all persons. There is a need to explain to Hindus how laws which criminalise same sex activity create an environment for discrimination and violence against LGBT citizens.
This brilliant 2015 conversation in Trinidad and Tobago shares some more perspectives
Therefore, It is contradictory to say 'we do not want to legalize same - sex relations' but 'we will not discriminate' .
In June 2018, Pandit Deodat Persaud wrote on his Facebook page. He is the President of the Golden Om Dharmic Youth Organisation and is a commissioner on the Ethnic Relations Commission.
"
The
LGBTQ community has too long suffered from attacks, discrimination and
injustices in society and the systematic alienation of their members by
many faith communities has resulted in them losing hope in us as
leaders; whom, they expect treatment of non-discrimination, non-
judgemental and non-derogatory innuendos.
Dealing with who they are itself is a daily challenge as such we as a society ought not be the judges of people's lifestyle in this case the context of morals. I fully support morality. The definition itself is changing. We see an erosion of morals among heterosexuals every day. Why be selective in our coding?
Considering their vulnerabilities , when we fail them as leaders,they lose hope in us; with that is a loss to the faith communities of a diversity and greater understanding of the divine’s creation. The LGBT community in turn loses certain coping structures that exist within people who follow different faith backgrounds.
This is not a game of you versus I but a story where we must realize our connectedness with the whole of creation.
From the Hindu perspective, our scriptures are generally very open and understanding of the LGBT community; but why then is there such a vast difference at points between the open-mindedness of the scriptures and the lack of acceptance that one finds in our culture?
We must embrace each other and reconcile if we want to move forward. We have to bridge the chasm that we, on both sides, have exist between us and them. Community is why religion as a structured form came into existence and if we aren’t offering that then why exist at all? We must understand that in the end we are all human.
The task of legislators is to ensure that the constitution never discriminates even when it speaks for the majority. In an era where freedom is no longer a privilege but a fundamental, and where secularism is embraced, laws need to be revised so so that it does not prevent persons from being who they are.
I have seen in the mandir structures where LBGTs have been very helpful and they have co-existed harmoniously. Therefore, we owe it to their services to see that they can live their lives as we are allowed to live ours. From many of us, because of the stigma, the issue is taboo but the conversation must begin. I have seen cases where people commit suicide because of shame. I know many would say I shouldn't have weigh into this issue. Let me say God cares for everyone.
Let us not usurp the role of God in casting judgements, Leave that to him. He has a place for everyone. Who hasn't sinned?
Api chet su-durāchāro bhajate mām ananya-bhāk
sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ samyag vyavasito hi saḥ
BG 9.30: Even if the vilest sinners worship me with exclusive devotion, they are to be considered righteous, for they have made the proper resolve.
Do GOOD, LIVE GOOD, LIVE AND LET OTHERS LIVE. "
Guyana Times published an article on 7 June, 2020 by Lakhram Bhagirat "Hinduism and homosexuality – teachings of acceptance, love and karma"
Dealing with who they are itself is a daily challenge as such we as a society ought not be the judges of people's lifestyle in this case the context of morals. I fully support morality. The definition itself is changing. We see an erosion of morals among heterosexuals every day. Why be selective in our coding?
Considering their vulnerabilities , when we fail them as leaders,they lose hope in us; with that is a loss to the faith communities of a diversity and greater understanding of the divine’s creation. The LGBT community in turn loses certain coping structures that exist within people who follow different faith backgrounds.
This is not a game of you versus I but a story where we must realize our connectedness with the whole of creation.
From the Hindu perspective, our scriptures are generally very open and understanding of the LGBT community; but why then is there such a vast difference at points between the open-mindedness of the scriptures and the lack of acceptance that one finds in our culture?
We must embrace each other and reconcile if we want to move forward. We have to bridge the chasm that we, on both sides, have exist between us and them. Community is why religion as a structured form came into existence and if we aren’t offering that then why exist at all? We must understand that in the end we are all human.
The task of legislators is to ensure that the constitution never discriminates even when it speaks for the majority. In an era where freedom is no longer a privilege but a fundamental, and where secularism is embraced, laws need to be revised so so that it does not prevent persons from being who they are.
I have seen in the mandir structures where LBGTs have been very helpful and they have co-existed harmoniously. Therefore, we owe it to their services to see that they can live their lives as we are allowed to live ours. From many of us, because of the stigma, the issue is taboo but the conversation must begin. I have seen cases where people commit suicide because of shame. I know many would say I shouldn't have weigh into this issue. Let me say God cares for everyone.
Let us not usurp the role of God in casting judgements, Leave that to him. He has a place for everyone. Who hasn't sinned?
Api chet su-durāchāro bhajate mām ananya-bhāk
sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ samyag vyavasito hi saḥ
BG 9.30: Even if the vilest sinners worship me with exclusive devotion, they are to be considered righteous, for they have made the proper resolve.
Do GOOD, LIVE GOOD, LIVE AND LET OTHERS LIVE. "
Guyana Times published an article on 7 June, 2020 by Lakhram Bhagirat "Hinduism and homosexuality – teachings of acceptance, love and karma"
Please let me know vidyak1 (at) gmail (dot) com if there are any others resources I could add .
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