From Ignorance to Hope: A Study of the Stigmatisation of Homosexuality in India

The thesis discusses to what extent do popular media contribute to the reduction of stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in post-colonial India? The hypothesis is: development and expansion of media improves public awareness of the taboo topic of homosexuality which will in turn reduce the stigmatisation. The first chapter describes the socio-legal context of homosexuality in India, explaining the foundations for stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals and identifies who the main discriminators are. The second chapter uses Appadurai’s theory of scapes and in particular mediascape to help establish the influence such a scape has in reducing stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in postcolonial India. This chapter draws similarities and conclusions from anthologies, auto biographies and biographies, newspaper articles and magazines, Bollywood films and Indian television. The final chapter is focussed on a case study of a growing...Show moreThe thesis discusses to what extent do popular media contribute to the reduction of stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in post-colonial India? The hypothesis is: development and expansion of media improves public awareness of the taboo topic of homosexuality which will in turn reduce the stigmatisation. The first chapter describes the socio-legal context of homosexuality in India, explaining the foundations for stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals and identifies who the main discriminators are. The second chapter uses Appadurai’s theory of scapes and in particular mediascape to help establish the influence such a scape has in reducing stigmatisation and discrimination against homosexuals in postcolonial India. This chapter draws similarities and conclusions from anthologies, auto biographies and biographies, newspaper articles and magazines, Bollywood films and Indian television. The final chapter is focussed on a case study of a growing influential homosexual social group in Mumbai named Gay Bombay that uses the media as a powerful tool in creating a safe haven for homosexuals since the late 1990s. The results have shown that homosexuality is a taboo topic with the current law criminalising the act. The extent of which media influence public opinion has grown with increased globalisation and the introduction of the internet. Some popular media outlets portray non-glamourized depictions of homosexuals more often than ever before but the stereotypical portrayal of the group is still common. It is definite that the public’s perception is directly influenced by media presentations and so if the media has the ability to promote a positive image of homosexuality one questions why they do not. Word of mouth belief is identified as one of the main problems that prevent change in opinion. Changing several million people’s opinions on such a taboo topic is a distant dream for homosexuals, especially whilst the law is still in place. One questions whether India has the political will to repeal its anti-homosexual legislation even if the media increases positive awareness of homosexuality.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

From Ignorance to Hope: A Study of the Stigmatisation of Homosexuality in India