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When we almost got arrested for being gay in Delhi

When we almost got arrested for being gay in Delhi

Here's the story about how we explored the underground gay scene in Delhi, and almost got arrested for being at a gay party.

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

However, its government has had issues accepting its LGBTQ community over this past decade. It all started in 2009 when the Delhi High Court invalidated a very old law dating back to 1861 (Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code), which criminalizes gay sex with up to 10 years in prison. The Indian Supreme Court then reintroduced this in 2013, but thankfully in September 2018, this anti-gay law was finally overturned in a landmark decision.

Gay couple travel book Nomadic Boys Out in the World

Today, being gay in India is no longer a crime, which is big news for the country's LGBTQ community.

We interviewed local boy Raj from Delhi anonymously who said that the former anti-gay laws were used by the authorities as a validation for all sorts of bullying and harassment of the LGBTQ community, in particular the Indian police who use it as a way to get bribes.

We experienced this first hand in Delhi when we were almost arrested in a gay club in Delhi in 2016 at a time when the anti-gay laws were in place. Read on to find out how we avoided jail time!

gay scene in Delhi arrested in gay club
Policeman in Delhi

The gay scene of 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 Unfortunately, most online resources about gay bars or clubs in Delhi were outdated.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 includes gay dating apps like Grindr and Hornet, which we use to connect and meet locals during our travels. Our experience in Delhi was a classic example of when we needed this. 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.

There is a fun underground gay scene to be found in Delhi
Dolled up with our friend Andrew and ready to hit the Delhi night life

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 afterward, we were so shocked that this is what the Delhi LGBT community has to live with every day.

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 is definitely much more gay friendly than India, at least for now
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 are so happy that the Indian Supreme Court has now finally repealed the awful Article 377 once and for all!

Should gay travelers boycott India?

On the contrary!

We strongly believe that gay travellers should not boycott travelling to India. If you're respectful of local customs, we think India is safe for gay travellers.

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

SEE MORE FROM OUR TRAVELS IN INDIA IN OUR VIDEO:

 

Happy travels are safe travels

We recommend you always take out reputable travel insurance before your next vacation. What happens if you suffer from illness, injury, theft, or a cancellation? Many gay travelers forget about it and regret it when something happens. Better to pay a small price and have peace of mind and not worry.


Read more travel stories like this in our book!

Like what you read?

We've got more stories and practical tips like this in our gay travel book, Out in the World, available to order now.

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Gay couple travel book Nomadic Boys Out in the World
Stefan Arestis

Hey everyone, I'm Stefan, the curly-haired Greek flavor behind the gay travel blog Nomadic Boys. Together with my other half, I have explored more than 90 countries across 5 continents. What I love most about traveling is discovering the local gay scene, making new friends, learning new cultures. I've written about LGBTQ travel in numerous online publications such as Gaycation Magazine, Gaycities, Gay Times and Pink News as well as for other non-gay-specific publications including Lonely Planet, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Huffington Post. Check my full bio here.

Sławek Starosta

Tuesday 15th of December 2020

And I still remember police chasing and arresting gays on Hampstead Heath in London. I must be million years old. Or over fifty. Happy travels guys and remember Britain decriminalized homosexuality only in late 60's. It may feel like million years ago. But it's not

Stefan Arestis

Tuesday 15th of December 2020

Agreed! And where my family is from (Cyprus), it happened as late as 1998!

Boo

Saturday 7th of November 2020

Thank you so much, dear Stefan and Sebastien! Your article was super informative and I really enjoy your writing style. Cheers from Boo, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia.

Stefan Arestis

Monday 9th of November 2020

Thanks Boo :)

Animotor

Thursday 16th of August 2018

I Love The way you Live your Life And Inspire Other People That don't Be Afraid Of out side world and communities. Thanks A Lot For this Kind Of information And inspiration.

Nomadic boys

Thursday 16th of August 2018

Thanks!

delengo

Friday 5th of January 2018

Thank you for sharing your experience. The best way to open people’s eyes is to keep being awesome. Just like you two!

Nomadic boys

Friday 5th of January 2018

Thanks buddy

Clemens

Tuesday 21st of November 2017

To be honest, I expected this to happen in other countries, but not in India. Thanks for sharing guys!

Nomadic boys

Wednesday 22nd of November 2017

Our pleasure buddy :)