Please help us keep our India listings up-to-date. Special thanks to emantas, amsterdampal, Karan, Chirag and Darika for updates!
India has an historic homosexual tradition. Surviving texts from as early as the 1500s mention the subject and sacred imagery depicts same-sex interaction between women. Both Muslim Nawabs and wealthy Hindus were recorded as having harems of young males. Tantric rituals are also known to have included homosexual acts.
However, both Brahman/Hindu laws and buggary-obsessed British colonial laws have maintained punishments for gay and lesbian activities. The result is that India's GLBT scene is perhaps Asia's most secretive and difficult to uncover, even for those within its queer communities. Still subject to legal penalties, discrimination, violence, and religious and social bigotry, this is hardly surprising.
Although it is not illegal to be homosexual, "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" remains a criminal offence, punishable with heavy fines and imprisonment up to a life sentence (these laws also apply to heterosexual couplings). During the last century and a half, only a few dozen such cases have been brought to trial in the higher courts. Activists are currently trying to get these antique laws repealed.
In 1992, 18 men were arrested in a New Dehli park on suspicion that they were homosexuals. Protests from gay and human rights groups got the men released and the charges reduced. Never-the-less, the climate of fear created by police actions has lead to blackmail, theft and coerced sexual favors from abusive officials.
Gay and lesbian publications are also considered to be obscene under the law.
Male-to-female transgenders and hijras (eunuchs) have widespread, yet ambivalent, visibility in many local communities.
India's newly emerging LGBT communities, along with its vast palette of variegated sexual behaviors that defy easy categorization, provide substantiation of the diversity of human nature; a diversity that is set to blossom as the social freedoms sweeping through Asia quickly erode the irrelevant strictures of British colonials and organized religion.
Generally gays and men who enjoy the company of other men may be found in each city's public places, such as bus depots, gardens and parks, etc.
On a trip around Asia, be sure to see the sights in India. Since India is such a popular travel destination, you'll be able to find great travel deals online. Whether you just decided on a last minute cruise around the Indian Ocean or have been planning a vacation for a while, look online for deals before you travel.
Serving the spectrum of MSM community in India since 1994. They take a holistic approach to the rights and health of sexual minorities and promote rational attitudes to sexuality.
119/5-10 Surawong Rd, Bangkok, (662) 238-3227, FAX (662) 634-0292, email. Asia's oldest and largest gay tour company offers hundreds of options using local English-speaking guides throughout Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), India, China, Singapore and Bhutan. Specializes in programs focusing on culture, cuisine, adventure and aesthetic improvement programs. Utopia Member Discount
Ahmedabad / Karnavati (Gujarat) -- area code (91-79)
The population of Ahmedabad is over 7 million people (that's close to 300,000 Utopians).
CCD Coffee Place
Ashram Rd (opposite Nehru Bridge, at the Petrol Pump. On Wed.
Chandigarh -- area code (91-172)
Down Under (mixed)
B/F SCO 196-97, Sector 17C, 272-3000, 272-3001. Located in the posh shopping area of Sector 17. Down Under is the downstairs bar of the large Hot Millions food complex. Western music. Menu offers Italian, TexMex and Indian food. Popular on weekend evenings.
Comments from Utopians:
"Went to Down Under. It's really nice. Mostly lesbians, but I felt very welcome here as a gay and I wasn't the only man on the night I visited. Everyone was warm and chatty, especially the owner." -- jonhgz, Jul 21, 2008
Blue Ice (mixed)
SCO 7, Sector 17E, 270-3338, 501-7966.
Sector 17, evenings. Young crowd.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) -- area code (91-44)
The population of Chennai is over 7 million people (that's close to 300,000 Utopians).
Men Community Development Society (MCDS)
2618-4392, 5551-5742. Formed in 1992 with with technical support from the Indian Community Welfare Organisation, this NGO works with homosexuals to educate about sexually transmitted diseases and also addresses the violation of the rights of homosexuals.
DEHLI / NEW DEHLI (National Capital Territory) -- area code (91-11)
The population of Dehli is over 14 million people (that's over half a million Utopians).
GK-II (Greater Kailash Part II, adjacent to Mainland China). A trend-setting lounge. Purple and pink butterflies float above glittering mirror balls. Delhi's upwardly mobile gays and lesbians come to the bi-monthly Fri night party at this chic place.
Comments from Utopians:
"This is an expensive place, but very classy. Entry is a little over US$20 and covers one or two drinks depending on what you are drinking." -- emantas, Jun 26, 2008
Pegs N Pints (mixed)
Chanakya Lane, Chanakyapuri, (behind Akbar Bhawan, next to the Chanakya Cinema, towards the end of the road), 2687-8320. Tue gay night.
Comments from Utopians:
"A small disco. G/F with bar stools is noisy, but good for people who like to dance and hook up. Mezzanine with sofa set is better to socialize. Almost half of the patrons are Asian. The handsome sucurity staff will search or 'touch' your body before you enter and R$400 will entitle you to a big bottle of beer." -- alextjia, Feb 21, 2007
Nehru Park
Chankyapuri. At the corner which is closest to the Ashok/Samrat
Hotel. Favorite cruising spot (particularly on Sun evenings), although be cautious.
Park close to Lado Sarai.
Enter from the gate next the Wholesale Flower Market on Mehrauli-Gurgaon Rd. The park has some nice monuments and wonderful walks. Easy encounters.
Park on the Ring Rd close to the Hyatt Regency, on the same side as the hotel.
Look for Fire Brigade office. The park gate is just opposite (next to the taxi stand).
Rail Yatri Niwas
Next to the New Delhi Railway Station, Ajmeri Gate side, 2/F facilities. Reported to be a safe spot to meet local guys.
Shahdipur Metro Station
Just 20 or so steps away there is facility where West Dehli gays meet from 8:30om - midnight.
Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) -- area code (91-575)
Cherryin Restaurant
Sector 2, Raj Nagar. Well known as a meeting
place for gays (friends, not cruising), especially on weekends.
Jaipur (Rajasthan State)
Comments from Utopians:
"While in Jaipur, try the Bouncer Bar. It is on MI Rd, near the Nerosi restaurant. It is a two-floor bar where many Utopians go. Just observe what is going on and you will be gladly surprised. The three barmen are very cute and they are very open. Live Indian music almost every night and it's good." -- pixman, Apr 15, 2008
Kolkata / Calcutta (West Bengal State)
The capital of West Bengal. Kolkata is the 3rd largest urban area in India. With an urban population of almost 5 million, and an extended metropolitan population of over 14 million, there are close to 750,000 Utopians in the area.
Aqua Cocktail Lounge (mixed)
Park Hotel. This place attracts a middle and upper-class hip gay crowd on Sat. Tends to be more expensive with its drink and food (keeps away the rough trade).
Olympus Bar
Park St. An inexpensive place for food and drink, popular among travelers and locals alike. Mixed crowd on Sat.
Sam's Bar
Russel St, inside the Floriana Restaurant. Gay men hang around here any day of the week, but especially on Sat.
Someplace Else (mixed)
Park Hotel. Attracts young, gay music lovers on Sat for its live bands, though its largely a mixed crowd.
Mintoo Park at the T junction of AJC Bose Rd and Sarat Bose Rd is quite popular with gays every evening from 5-8pm, especially weekends.
Lakes (as it is popularly known among Kolkatans), located on Southern Ave. Quite infamous among gays for nightly rendevous (after 7pm). Beware of plain clothes police. Go elsewhere once you make a new friend.
Nandan Theater. Kolkata's cultural hub. Quite popular with the young, gay crowd, especially on weekends. Most of them hang outside the theater, opposite the coffee joint.
KC Das. This famous sweet shop is located in Esplanade. Outside the shop is a bus stand and in the evening it tends to become a pickup joint/ Beware of plain clothes policemen in this area.
MUMBAI (Maharashtra) -- areacode (91-22)
Mumbai, India's financial capital, is probably the most progressive city in the country and appears to have a thriving scene. A good time to visit is in late Aug/early Sep for the Festival of Ganesh, when Hindus bathe Ganesh images in the surf. There are usually spontaneous gay gatherings along the beaches since gay men identify closely with the elephant-headed deity, who is known for destruction of obstacles.
The population of metropolitan Mumbai is over 14 million people (that's over half a million Utopians).
Email, (91-98)2191-1420. This queer film and video production house was launched in 2001. FabLab focuses on projects relevant to sexuality, gender, popular culture and politics. It is the only organization in India that employs its proceeds to fund queer film/video, new media and literature.
Namaskar! Welcome! Community support group that organizes a gay party in a local venues every month. They also host "Sunday Meets" and other occasional gatherings like beach picnics. Tons of useful info on their website where you may also join their email list for news about future events.
Voodoo (mixed)
Colaba Island (a major tourist area in South Mumbai). It claims to be the "only gay bar between Istanbul and Bangkok" although it's gay only on Sat nights. The crowd often spills out onto the beach. There are quite a few expats living and working in Mumbai, so Voodoo is a good mix of locals and westerners.
Beach promenade
Opposite the Taj Mahal Hotel. The city's most popular cruising area.
City bus stop
In front of Z.P. Ground in Arunagabad, Near Aurangapura. A good place for fun for ll types of gays.
Facility at Shipz
Andheri East. Becomes an exciting gay spot from 8-11pm.
King's Circle (Maheshwari Udyan)
Matungas hang out. It is relatively safe but goes without saying that, like any other cruising spot, be cautious and use common sense.
Public facility on East Street.
Public facility on Mg Rd (happening all night)
Noida / New Okhla Industrial Development Area (Uttar Pradesh) -- area code (91-577)
Barista Coffee Shop
Sector 18 (close to McDonalds). Popular with gay men.