Gay India

With a population of over one billion people, India is densely populated, culturally rich and quite diverse. For the Western gay man or lesbian traveler to India, it is important to recognize certain cultural traditions that come into play.

India is one of the largest countries in the world geographically and is also only second behind China as the most populous. As such it has such a diversity of people and culture and offers so much to any traveller wishing to visit it. In the north you will see the beauty of the Himalayas, whilst as you go south you will encounter numerous areas of tropical beauty and white sandy beaches stretching across shores lapped by warm and clear waters. For gay travel to India, therefore, there is so much on offer.

The country has long been known as one that offers great spirituality and therefore a gay holiday there is a superb way to reconnect with yourself and remember what is important in life and get a little bit more perspective on things.

The country also has a host of different historical and sacred sites that are great to explore. You can see these and trek through the wilderness or take in the great ambiance and atmosphere of traditional bazaars and fairs all over the country. With a great mix of rural life, as well as thriving cities, there is so much culture to embrace and enjoy.

It is important to remember however that in India, same sex relations are thought of to be taboo by many. Whilst there has been progress being made recently, particularly with the recent decriminalisation of same sex relations, it remains a problem for a lot of people. However, this should never stop anyone from visiting the country.

The best way to travel through the country, if at all possible, is to do so as part of a tour group or something similar. Find a trustworthy and reputable company that will accommodate all of your requirements, and then you will be able to enjoy all of the attractions you wish to see amongst others in a similar situation.

The concept of a gay identity in India is recent, confused and generally quite unlike the ways in which Western men identify themselves and their sub-culture. In much of India, being gay is associated with adopting feminine traits and social roles. In a culture in which gender roles within the family are clearly delineated, such behavior would be seen as bizarre.

Of course, that does not mean that there is no homosexual behavior exists in India. Indeed social scientists have found that such activity may be much more prevalent than in Western cultures and considerably less taboo. Such behavior, however, is not discussed and is definitely not thought of as defining the participants as gay. It is discreet, playful and generally engaged in only with members of one's primary social circle (family members and close friends). You might think of it as being similar to the stereotypes of such activities portrayed in Waugh's portrayals of British boarding school play.

The importance of this for the traveler is that one is not likely to find a gay bar or gay bed and breakfast in the Western tradition. Consequently, if you want gay companionship during your travels to India, you would be best advised to take along your own friends.

Of course there are places where the concept of being gay takes on a more Western connotation. In the more cosmopolitan cities, gay communities exist. These are often associations of men who self-identify, usually in secret, as gay and will schedule social activities. However, it is difficult for an outsider to discover such groups or to locate their meeting places.

Consequently, as we describe some wonderful destinations in India, you won't find out usual references to gay clubs or gay accommodations. On the other hand, you will discover that any establishment that welcomes Westerners will be welcoming to you.

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Our Destination Guides For India:

Agra (Taj Mahal)

Delhi

Goa

Jaipur

Mumbai (Bombay)

Palace On Wheels (Rail Journey)