Lesbian Choices: An Indian Tragedy

A recent murder case in Gujarat India highlights the plight of lesbians who are trapped in abusive situations in countries with high rates of family imposed sex-based abuse and homophobia and where living independently as a woman and lesbian is difficult. Where there are few to no legal or social remedies to prevent violence against themselves and their loved ones, abused lesbians may have no meaningful choices other than to remain in danger or breach legal or social rules. All courses of action open to them will be harmful, and possibly dangerous. Retaliating to stop the violence may stop familial abuse but results in exposure to significant legal sanctions. The emotional and psychological toll of facing these choices and their consequences adds to the tragedy of women trapped in this way.

http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news/DGUJ-BHA-OMC-murder-took-place-at-bharuch-over-lesbian-relationship-gujarati-news-5570376-PHO.html?ref=hf

In early April 2017, the body of a man, Yunis Maniya, was found in Bharuch dictrict of Gujarat, India. A woman (Mayaben), reportedly the lesbian partner of the victim’s daughter (Jaheda), and an unrelated male (Jayendra) have been charged with the man’s murder. The motive for the murder is reported by the local police responsible for the investigation as the ending of sexuality-based domestic violence:

“The motive behind the murder was the victim’s opposition to the lesbian relationship. The accused was having an affair with the daughter of the deceased. He used to beat his daughter in a bid to discourage her from having a relationship with the accused. This incited the automobile broker who later hatched the plan to murder him,” said deputy SP of Bharuch N D Chauhan.

Information on this case is scarce in English and the articles do not appear sympathetic to the plight of the abused daughter or her partner accused of the murder. What isn’t clear, reading only the English articles, is what the options would be for women experiencing domestic violence on the basis of their sexuality in a country where sex-based violence against women alone is endemic, homophobia is widespread and women’s capacity to leave the family circle is limited.

While domestic violence is illegal in India, women and girls remain highly susceptible to abuse within the family. In 2016 it was reported that so-called honour killings had risen by 800% year on year, although it is unclear whether this represents an increase in the killings or an increase in reporting.

Lesbians are particularly vulnerable given the criminalisation of same sex activities under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, introduced in 1860 and only repealed in 2009. In 2016 the Indian Supreme Court committed to reviewing Section 377 after a 2013 decision had reinstated the law . Only months before, a 2 judge bench of the Supreme Court named homosexuality “a social evil for some” in a tax ruling on a Gujurati film on homosexuality. The Supreme Court action was reportedly the last chance for law reform, save only an appeal to the conservative politicians of India.

Although the legal sanctions are not directly applied, they remain a potent backdrop to social sanctions and persecution in a country where national surveys report a 75% disapproval rate of homosexuality and in which lesbians face a double oppression as both women and lesbians.

A brief reading of lesbian writings about their life in India demonstrates some of the risks lesbians face, both on the basis of their sex and their sexuality.

• “My uncles will either force me into a marriage or kill me”
• Despite Being Illegal, Here’s How Lesbians Are Striving To Find Love In India
• In 2011-12 a lesbian couple eloped and sought police protection from family threats.
• Living in India as a Lesbian – 5 women tell their stories
• This girl shares what it’s like to be a lesbian in India in the most honest way possible
• Lesbians accused of the murder of disapproving families.

This Gujurati case represents the catch-22 lesbian around the world can face – how do lesbians being abused for their sexuality and relationships defend themselves in societies where violence against women is endemic and where homosexuality is punished? This is a no win situation for lesbians who are trapped in violent situations with few options for escape or defense, and where retaliatory violence exposes them to far greater legal sanctions.

When lesbians have no safe way to leave or stay, what meaningful choice remains?

We have tried to ensure information presented in this piece is accurate, however if you notice any inaccuracies or accidental misrepresentations, please email us with additional information at liz@listening2lesbians.com or lisa@listening2lesbians.com.

Sources:

• The Nature of Violence Faced by Lesbian Women in India, 2003
• http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-auto-broker-held-for-killing-father-of-lesbian-partner-in-bharuch-4605727/
• http://mijaaj.com/girl-murders-friends-father-sexual-freedom/
• http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news/DGUJ-BHA-OMC-murder-took-place-at-bharuch-over-lesbian-relationship-gujarati-news-5570376-PHO.html?ref=hf
• https://womensphere.wordpress.com/2008/05/06/ngo-reaches-out-to-lesbian-women-in-gujarat
• http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/girls-and-unmarried-women-in-india-forbidden-from-using-mobile-phones-to-prevent-disturbance-in-a6888911.html
• http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/india-sees-huge-spike-honour-killings-161207153333597.html

More on the legal situation and processes:

• http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/To-be-equal-before-the-law/article14479752.ece
• http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/lgbtq-everything-you-need-to-know-about-section-377-of-the-indian-constitution-and-the-story-so-far-256826.html
• http://www.legalindia.com/domestic-violence-against-women-in-india/
• http://lawfarm.in/blogs/domestic-violence-laws-in-india
• http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/sc-refuses-to-examine-fresh-plea-on-section-377-refers-matter-to-cji-2882929/