Fifty Shades of Gay (FSoG) is a national human rights awareness campaign that seeks to explore the LGBTQ community in India and empower them. We work towards familiarising the Indian population with the community; a minority which sadly are subjected to inequality and injustice on a daily basis. 

Read the story of a sex worker from Mumbai's oldest red-light district

India is among the top 10 countries in the world with the largest homosexual population. For a country like that, the conditions that the homosexual people in India have to encounter in their daily lives are alarming. They are judged, stereotyped, called derogatory names and discriminated against. They have to face ostracisation from their community and their families, who might even threaten to murder them. Parents force them to seek medical help to treat their condition, and they may also be forced into straight marriages. They’re bullied in school, colleges and at the workplace leading to a large number of mental disorders, making India the country most prone to such disorders in the world.

Understanding Sexuality in Contemporary India- This is Shilok's Story from Bangalore​

The never ending colonial curse

Many of them seek sexual gratification from the illegal sex trade, contracting Sexually Transmitted Diseases such as HIV Aids etc. Due to lack of support from the government, their family and the society, they live a life shrouded in fear and keep the truth about their sexuality in dark, never owning up to who they actually are. This is the main reason we don’t see cases of homosexuality occurring in close proximity to us.

Read the story of anonymous who fears that his family will either kill him or disown him if they find out about his sexuality

Research has shown that at least 16 LGBTQ youth commit suicide every month in India. We are at the risk of losing an entire generation of talented, inspiring, individuals who feel isolated and powerless because the society doesn't accept them. 

The shame of being raped by your relative for 11 years​

Rape and Police Abuse of Trans Indians in Bangalore

By criminalising the act of homosexuality, the law deprives homosexuals of the right to be who they are. According to Section 377, homosexual acts are unnatural. This classification of some sex as unnatural is deeply irrational. The natural world is replete with acts of homosexual sex. The law is also against the features of democracy as it denies these people the freedom of choice and the right to lead a happy, fulfilling life. 

Now, we need you to join us in action to amend the Section 377 to decriminalise homosexuality and promote equality in a country that has always supported morality and the happiness of its citizens.

We need rights for homosexual people not only for them to live an ideal life but also for us and our future generations to be able to live in an egalitarian society where everyone is equal and everyone is free. We rest our case with you and sincerely hope you will deliver the judgement on section 377 considering the natural origin of homosexuality and how the law goes against the principle of equality as mentioned in our constitution.

Read more stories from the campaign:

SC verdict on Sec 377 represents the triumph of colonial-era law over our very own constitution​

"Closets are for clothes" says Varun from Chandigarh​

Looking for a man, story of a 43 year old Gay Indian​

Presenting Mumbai's one and only gay comedian​

Genderfluid, Pansexual and Indian​

Meet India's first trans woman - Sylvie Rodgers​

Meet India's first drag queen from Kerala, Mayamma

Publications that covered the campaign:

Mumbai Diary- Mid-day Sunday newspaper- Fighting Homophobia​

Mid-day coverage-New campaign for LGBT people to tell their stories​

UK GayStar News coverage- Grassroots campaign started in India to counter homophobia​

Bayside Journal coverage- How 50 Shades of Gay is Empowering India’s LGBTs​

The Malaysian Times coverage- ‘50 Shades of Gay’ rises to change India’s perception on LGBTQ