That one time we almost got arrested for being gay in Delhi

Don’t get us wrong, we absolutely fell in love with India.

But its government just has major problems accepting its LGBT community.

A very old law dating back to 1861 (Article 377 of the Indian Penal Code) criminalises gay sex with up to 10 years in prison. This was invalidated by the Delhi High Court in 2009, but in 2013, the Supreme Court reintroduced Article 377.

In January 2016, the Supreme Court announced it would review this decision, but until this is done, being gay in India remains a crime.

Gay scene Delhi protests against Article 377

Protests in India against the offensive Article 377

We couldn’t find any evidence of Article 377 being enforced, but its very existence is a symbolic slap in the face to the LGBT community.

We interviewed a gay Indian couple anonymously who said that Article 377 is used by the authorities as a validation for all sorts of bullying and harassment of the LGBT community, in particular the Indian police who use it as a way to get bribes.

We experienced this first hand in Delhi.

gay scene in Delhi arrested in gay club

Policeman in Delhi

THE GAY SCENE IN DELHI

Our first stop in India was the buzzing and chaotic city of Delhi. It was our entry point into the country and our base to visit the Taj Mahal.

As a big city with over 10 million, we were expecting it to have an active gay community. Unfortunately, most online resources about gay bars or clubs in Delhi were outdated.

Since 2013 when the Supreme Court made being gay illegal, there are no openly gay hangouts. If there were before, now they were closed down and everything forced underground.

One of our favourite mobile apps for our travels is Grindr, to connect and meet locals, and our experience in Delhi was a classic example. Using Grindr, we were able to tap into the scene and discover the venue of that week’s party: Knight by Castle 9 at Connaught Place.

So, dolled up and ready to party, we hit the town.

ready for gay scene in Delhi

Heading for a gay night our with our friend Andrew in Delhi

The gay party itself was a lot of fun. It was heaving full of locals dancing and drinking, having a good time.

Just as we whipped out the selfie sticks to start capturing the evening, a burly bouncer quickly took us aside and sternly told us that all photography is strictly prohibited. They were only trying to protect their clientele who were naturally sensitive about their family or work finding out they’d been to a gay place.

Suddenly at around 1am the music stopped.

All the lights were switched off and window blinds pulled down.

Everybody was asked to stay inside the club, be silent and under no circumstances, go outside.

The police had arrived!

Everyone in the club was blazé about it. This happened at all their parties. It was just the way it had always been.

We, however were freaking out…

  • What if we have to go to some dodgy Indian prison cell?
  • What’s the number of the UK/French embassy?
  • What are your rights if arrested in India?!

Our Indian friends reassured us, explaining the policemen were simply looking for a bribe from the promoters and would leave everyone else alone.

It was just the way it had always been.

Knight club by Castle sign gay party Delhi gay scene

The venue for the gay party when we were in Delhi

We waited for around 20 minutes. At one point one young guy tried to leave through the back door, but the burly bouncer smacked him and told him to wait inside to avoid antagonising the police.

Eventually the policemen’s bribes were settled and everyone was asked to leave via the back door, one by one, and go straight home.

No one got hurt. No one was arrested. And most shocking for us, nobody seemed to care!

This was all part of an average gay night out in Delhi.

Although we were able to laugh it off afterwards, we were so shocked that this is what the Delhi LGBT community have to live with every day.

gay scene Delhi almost arrested gay club

Our “we were nearly arrested in Delhi” tuk tuk selfie on the ride back home

THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN LONDON!

Back home in London, or anywhere else in Western Europe or North America, this would never, ever in a million years happen!

Any police presence in Heaven or XXL would be to protect us from something, not for a bribe! Our Police even have their own float at London Pride and let us kiss them and take silly photos with them.

London gay scene easier then Delhi gay scene

Sebastien the angel kissing one of our friendly policemen at London Gay Pride parade

We were just shocked that in India, the very people who are supposed to protect you are instead the ones you have to bribe to leave you alone.

We truly hope the Indian Supreme Court takes the initiative in its review of Article 377 to make the correct decision and repeal it once and for all!

SHOULD GAY TRAVELLERS BOYCOTT INDIA?

On the contrary!

We strongly believe that gay travellers should not boycott travelling to countries with anti-gay laws.

As a foreigner you will be quite safe. No one wants any embassy issues, least of all the police. More importantly, going there as a gay traveller you would not only be helping to raise awareness with everyday folk that gays are like any other person, you would also be supporting your local sisters there.

And let’s face it, India has the potential to be very gay: with a population of over 1 billion, there’s statistically over 100 million gay boys waiting to party with you!

Oh – and have you seen some of the carvings at religious places like the temples of Khajuraho?!

Delhi gay scene erotic carvings gay sex

Back in the old days, anal sex seemed to be the norm in India judging by these ancient temple carvings in Khajuraho

FOR MORE FROM OUR TRAVELS IN INDIA, CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO:

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That one time we got arrested in India for being gay

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