

Tell Indian Cinemas: Don't Censor LGBT Films


Tell Indian Cinemas: Don't Censor LGBT Films
The Issue
It's a movie that's been dubbed India's Brokeback Mountain, because of its historic portrayal of a same-sex couple in a country that up until a year ago criminalized homosexuality with fines and prison sentences. And indeed, in the few theaters where it's screening, Dunno Y ... Na Jaane Kyun is lighting it up, bringing in both cash and fans. And that's something to celebrate, given that the film is one of the first Bollywood productions to portray not only a real and serious same-sex relationship, but also some genuine same-sex affection.
Of course, Dunno Y ... Na Jaane Kyun is also making history in another way. And that's because two leading theaters in Mumbai -- Fun Cinemas and CinemaxVersova -- are refusing to screen the film, saying that it violates India's morals and would be offensive to families. What a shame.
Send these two cinemas a message that by censoring a film that portrays a same-sex relationship, they are sending a harmful and damaging message that only fosters stigmatization toward LGBT people. This is particularly troubling in India, where laws criminalizing homosexuality have only been off the books for less than a year.
The Issue
It's a movie that's been dubbed India's Brokeback Mountain, because of its historic portrayal of a same-sex couple in a country that up until a year ago criminalized homosexuality with fines and prison sentences. And indeed, in the few theaters where it's screening, Dunno Y ... Na Jaane Kyun is lighting it up, bringing in both cash and fans. And that's something to celebrate, given that the film is one of the first Bollywood productions to portray not only a real and serious same-sex relationship, but also some genuine same-sex affection.
Of course, Dunno Y ... Na Jaane Kyun is also making history in another way. And that's because two leading theaters in Mumbai -- Fun Cinemas and CinemaxVersova -- are refusing to screen the film, saying that it violates India's morals and would be offensive to families. What a shame.
Send these two cinemas a message that by censoring a film that portrays a same-sex relationship, they are sending a harmful and damaging message that only fosters stigmatization toward LGBT people. This is particularly troubling in India, where laws criminalizing homosexuality have only been off the books for less than a year.
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Petition created on November 14, 2010