In an age when so many people are looking for their roots to consolidate their identities, homosexuals and lesbians in India are determined not to be left behind. “What we’re basically trying to do is create our own space.” says Ashok Row Kavi, a gay activist. Not easy in a “heterosexually-dominated” world where homosexuals and lesbians are considered dangerous deviants. So, what do you do? Well, start with a seminar on “The histories of alternative sexualities”. Gay activists from India and abroad, who met last fortnight in the capital, emphasised how new values had appropriated sexual behaviour while in older religions like Hinduism, homosexuality was not only tolerated but also encouraged. Such claims were supported by citing well-known temple carvings that depict homo-erotica or myths of gods and goddesses with myriad sexualities. The aim was to look towards such examples as a way of giving sanction to different kinds of sexuality. And, as always, history played a base for more current issues. Dealing with the new deadly symbol of AIDs, there was talk at the meeting of moving towards a new concept of non-penetrative sex. Seeing sex as only a penetrative activity is violent. Take away penetration and sex becomes a “receiving and giving activity”. “There are not enough condoms anyway for all penetrative acts taking place every night. So non-penetration also deals with the problem of HIV,” said Shivananda Khan, the seminar organiser. The first-ever such seminar in India has now spurred more dreams. London-based Naz Project plans to open an alternative sexuality institute in Delhi as a haven for gay activists. It’s a brave new world. And as the organisers pointed out: “This is just the beginning.”