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Title: Spirituality & Sexuality

Clip info: Language: English, Telugu(English subtitles); Length: 11m 41s

Author: India HIV/AIDS Alliance, Andhra Pradesh

Publication Date: April 2006

Target Audience: Donors, national and international NGOs, NGO support programmes, General public

Description: In most of our project intervention sites it was observed that many of the members belonging to the MSM community gather in large numbers at religious and cultural festivals. These festivals give them an opportunity to meet other members of their community and indulge in fun, cross dressing, etc. which otherwise is non acceptable to the larger community. The film captures these events to understand the socio-cultural context of this scenario and also to support NGOs in implementing HIV prevention activities at these events.

During Mahashivaratri, around 50,000 MSM and trans-genders descend to the temple towns. “Shiva Shakti” is a religious sect; majority of members being males believe that they are “wives” of the Hindu god - Shiva. Every year around 30,000 Shiva-Shakti followers gather in designated temples to get ritually married to lord Shiva. During the three-day festival, most Shiva-Shakti men dress up and conduct themselves as women (often with the support of their wives, since it is considered sacred). Some Shiva-Shakti men, while engaging in rituals may also engage in sex with other men.

In a social environment of stigma and discrimination these men under different religious banners attend these festivals as this provides a socially accepted space/outlet for the expression of homosexuality - including cross dressing. Under these circumstances, sexual activity associated with alcohol consumption tends to be extremely indiscriminate. Given that many MSMs are bisexuals and also married, this plays a major role in increasing the HIV epidemic.

Events of this nature present very good opportunity to organize effective HIV/AIDS prevention activities. During these festivals, NGOs supported by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance organizes AIDS awareness events, STI treatment camps, counselling sessions and distribute condoms and IEC materials.

For information about how to get a copy of this documentary film, please contact: India HIV/AIDS Alliance info@allianceindia.org