PRIDE & PREJUDICE

PRIDE & PREJUDICE



CAN THE MNCS

then be expected to take a lead in creating a gay-friendly culture in their organisations or will it eventually be up to Indian business houses to bring about change Most MNCs already have a stated diversity policy that lays down specific targets on the number of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (GLBT) employees the company must strive to recruit. Their Indian subsidiaries may now be obliged to fall in line with global practices in the aftermath of the Delhi High Court judgement . The GLBT percentage norm just may come into force for India weve seen it happen in other countries , says Abhijit Bhaduri, HR Director at Microsoft India. But then again, India always seems to evolve in a unique way and the process may be different here.
One of the most pro-active companies in this sphere is IBM India and reports are that some years ago, it sponsored its sole openly gay employees trip to the USA to attend a get-together of gay IBM-ers . Annice Paul, the program manager for GLBT and work-life integration at IBM India, says: Our first commitment globally towards GLBT was made way back in 1983. We believe a diverse organisation fosters excellence.
This kind of positive discrimination in favour of gays will go a long way in fostering openness in organisations (not to mention the benefit of the creative ideas gay people are famous for bringing to the table), but working against it is the deeply ingrained social stigma associated with homosexuality. One of the top honchos of the Kantar Group, Balachandran Ramiah is a core member of GayBombay, a social outfit that works with the gay community in Mumbai, organising parties, film festivals, picnics, treks and Sunday meetings, where discussion points include coming out at work, grooming and managing your finances. Ramiah is one of those who new-gen gays look to for advice and he says: I know a lot of people who are still mortally terrified of their family and colleagues finding out that theyre gay. Ive always told them there is no pressure to come out of the closet if youre not ready for it. It is ultimately an individual decision. Now that criminalisation under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code has been revoked, the gay community will have to work towards changing social attitudes and that, as everyone knows, is an excruciatingly slow process. But historian Saleem Kidwai, co-author of Same Sex Love In India, says that doesnt take away from the importance of the Delhi High Court judgement. History tells us theres always been social disapproval, he says, but never to the point of criminalisation as was introduced by the British in India. dibeyendu.ganguly@timesgroup .com