Cruising provides a sense of anonymity," explains Jyoti Das, a Bengaluru-based psychologist. Moreover, a lot of people can be confused with their sexuality or not don't want to come out of the closet yet. Several dating apps in India, made exclusively for the LGBT community have not been easily accessible. The dating apps are easier for cis-heterosexuals. During these troubled times, it is natural for people to seek comfort. "Touch is one of the universal languages of love. In India, societal oppression has been a cause for the rise in suicides among sexual minorities. In the West, much has been written about the correlation between the rise in depression among LGBT youths and substance abuse. Loneliness has breached the realm of social anxiety and become a medical condition. In Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam examines the effects of isolation that leads to a decreasing desire to create social capital, a concern that has accelerated since the 1970s in the West.
Like depression, a state with which it often intersects, it can run deep in the fabric of a person, as much a part of one's being as laughing easily or having red hair," writes Olivia Laing in The Lonely City. "Loneliness is difficult to confess difficult too to categorise. However, with the world being confined within four walls, loneliness rose among the community. I was among people, yet lonely," added Rahul.ĪLSO READ | Gay cruising at a Kolkata cinema hall in digital dating eraĬruising has been one of the sought-after, albeit hushed, options for queer persons to find touch. But for eight months, I was locked at home with my family. I was initially taken aback but then I looked up the internet for safer options. "I could only gather the courage to tell one of my friends, who then took me to *Paradise Cinema for cruising. And I am tired of pretending to be one of them," Rahul said. My cis male friends are still new to the concept of homosexuality. "I don't think anyone understands me at home. However, for the LGBTQ community, especially in the rural areas and Tier-II, Tier-III cities, the absence of a queer-friendly space made their lives a living hell. At a time when public areas were declared a no man's land, many tried to find solace in their homes. Prolonged societal-discrimination deeply-rooted in patriarchy has made access to public space for the LGBTQ community a nightmare. The anxiety of social stigma has been a barrier for Rahul to assert his sexuality openly. Rahul, who identifies as a homosexual man, is yet to come out before his family.ĭespite the Supreme Court repealing section 377 (that criminalised homosexual relationships) in 2018, the Indian society, by and large, has not been welcoming of the verdict. The constant pretence of being a heterosexual man is tiring and lonesome," he added. For me, bringing someone home is impossible. Sex is a part of our lives, asserts Rahul. I was introduced to the concept four years back and I find it convenient," said the 28-year-old IT employee.ĭuring his second visit to *Popular street, Shivam met *Rahul and they have been dating for two months now.
You know people are there for the same reason. I could have used dating apps, but I feel there is a lot of scare around the virus.
"It is difficult for me to find partners since I am a bit of an introvert. His best bet to find touch is by cruising for sex. *Shivam has been living alone in his 1BHK rented flat in Kolkata this entire year and apprehension doesn't allow him to bring anyone home.