Blog: Homosexuality in the Island of Mauritius (Part A – The Findings)

This paper is divided into two parts. Part (A) explores the finding of a short survey while Part (B) discusses the findings as a follow up at a later date. This qualitative survey is based on the actual comments received from commentators about their views on homosexuality as they perceived in Mauritius. The comments were received in response to two articles publicised in June 2011 on a local newspaper by the headings of: (1) L’Etat de New York approve le mariage homosexuel and (2) Anger as Indian minister calls for homosexuality a ‘disease’.

The two articles were also preceded by the approval of the homosexual rights by the constitution of Mauritius. On the basis of the comments received and collated a short presentation of the findings is made with an effort to demonstrate perceptions some members of the community currently hold about homosexuality in Mauritius. Since it was an open discussion by approximately 15 commentators these views are, by no means, representative to the whole of Mauritian society. However, inferences may be made through this short initial report which may put some light into the likely way of thinking about homosexuality in the Democratic Republic of Mauritius as well as the potential impact this may have on this minority group from the point of view of equality of rights and integration into the wider community. This is not a rigorous research exercise by any means but just some basic findings that may interest readers, students, educators or interest groups in the field. These comments may be, somewhat, influenced by my personal views expressed as a contributor into the comments sections of the press. I must stress, however, that initially it was not my intention to conduct any such survey but once a substantial amount of material was received this has motivated me to reflect deeper into the topic with an intention to share the findings with the wider audience. The commentaries received were basically centred round: ‘Perceptions of homosexuals and homosexuality in Mauritius’ as well as feelings generated, as a result, by the commentators about legalisation of the rights of the homosexuals in Mauritius. My personal views on homosexuality is deliberately avoided in this paper so as to keep the findings as objective as possible. In terms of confidentiality and privacy, the commentaries received are already in the public domain and, therefore, it was not necessary to seek permission of the contributors in this respect. However, complete anonymity is respected throughout this paper.

It was interesting to find a variety of views, often accompanied with expressions of anger and frustrations about what constituted homosexuality in the context of the Mauritian society. Out of the 15 comments received (personal identity, gender and age unknown) via the internet almost all of them demonstrated a strong negative views about homosexuality as normally understood in the wider world today, specially those compared to Europe and USA or South American continent. One commentator was, however, more interested to comment on the rights of the homosexual than expressing his/her views about homosexuality itself. Hence I may conclude that almost all the commentators expressed strong views against homosexuality as part of normal human sexuality. These views ranged from homosexuality as being a disease, sin, unnatural, sexual perversion to that of a phenomenon closely related with paedophilia, incest and/or bestiality. The causation of homosexuality was also expressed in a variety of ways that will be addressed later. Homosexuality has been viewed largely a male related phenomenon; whereas, lesbianism (female sexuality with female) was hardly made reference to by the commentators. This diversity of views was often contradictive among the commentators themselves about their understanding of homosexuality. For example, when one commentator stated homosexuality being a disease another refuted the idea by saying that it is rather more of a perversion than a disease. Yet another asserting that it is neither disease nor perversion but a sin or an unnatural form of sexual activity normally known in human relationship. Repetition of views has been avoided and, as such, only common quotes are reflecting into this paper as an effort to keep the paper short.

In the survey homosexuality has been perceived by some commentators as an act of sexual perversion, quote: ‘…La perversion a l’extreme…’  and the unnaturalness of homosexuality in mankind, quote: ‘  …it is against nature to have same sex (gender) relations’ which has often been linked with an act of sin by the same group of commentators, quote: ‘ …there is no bigger argument that it  is a sin…’. This means homosexuality is being perceived against the moral code of man. Such a moral value held is often deep rooted into one’s beliefs pattern which in itself, often, influenced by nurture within the confine of one’s society and/or religion, as one commentator quoted: ‘Bible considers (homosexuality) an abomination and other Holy Books…’.

On the other hand there has been contradiction of ideas among some commentators about homosexuality between perversion, sin and disease; such as homosexuality ‘…Is definitely a disease…’ .  Such a disease is not only made reference to physical form of abnormality but also a mental illness, quote: ‘Homosexuality is a disease of the mind...’ . Often homosexuality as a disease is perceived as something curable, quote: ‘ …which in many cases, have been cured.’ through counselling and support. These views have often accompanied with anger, resentment and frustrations towards the homosexual community.

One commentator staunchly equated homosexuality with impotency, as generally perceived in the island of Mauritius, quote:  ‘The prevalent type of homosexuality compared to what we call ‘P…’ (P stands for ‘Pillon’, meaning ‘impotence’) in Mauritius…’. It is a common belief in Mauritius that any sexually impotent male who is unable to involve or perform normal sexual activity with a female is considered a ‘puff’ (local term ‘Pillon’); hence such a person is regarded as a homosexual. In this respect, homosexuality is erroneously equated with impotency.

Often, homosexuality is defined and equated with other sexual perversions, such as, quote: ‘… it is incest, bestiality, paedophilia, necrophilia…’. Others feared legalisation and liberalisation of homosexuality will likely to lead to increasing sexual perversions, sexually related infections and sexual crimes in the island of Mauritius, quote: ‘Accepting homosexuality is paving the way to full sexual liberation and expression…’

One commentator making reference to homosexuality with other complex sexual conditions, such as, quote: ‘… sexysoleism, cucockoldism, cleavageism, pootooism, crookedlimboism, hauterism…’. And transvestites and transexuals, quote: ‘There are transvestites and transsexuals…’.

Homosexuality has also been misconceived as pure sex and sexually related activity as opposed to love and intimacy between two male partners in line with heterosexuality. For example, one commentator stating, quote: ‘How can you say that there can be an intimacy between men?’.

Some commentators also gave the causal factors of homosexuality. These views, too, were accompanied with anger, sense of resentment and frustration. It is interesting to note that although homosexuality was perceived as a disease there were views among some that it is neither to do with genetic nor genetic disorders, quote: ‘…don’t tell me they (homosexuals) have a different genetic code, as it brings doubt to your title (doctor)..’. In addition to some causation implicit into the earlier issues addressed above some commentators made reference to homosexuality from a psychosocial perspective, quote: ‘ ..lack of time for proper counselling by their (homosexuals’) parents…or ‘These people have not been properly nurtured…/ ‘…All these happening because of sex driven media…’   as well as a form of mental instability or perversion with self-gratification, quote: ‘ … perpetual search for solace…trying everything…’.

Another underlying root cause of homosexuality and impotency is related with type of food people consume, as stated by one commentator (an Ayurvedic doctor), quote: ‘ P… meaning impotency (hence homosexuality) in Mauritius is a disease caused by foods which are not wholesome (including artificial food preparation and addition)…homosexuality existed among the Arabs…because of diets… dead camels, consumptions of dates…’.

Homosexuality has often been viewed as something confined to certain race or nations. As such, it has been labelled as a problem of the Western nations (USA), in particular, as a form of sexual perversion, quote:  ‘An extreme form of sexual perversion in decadent societies like US…’. One commentator was adamant that homosexuality does not exist in African , Indian, Chinese and other oriental nations; whereas another commentator challenged this view, stating that it rather exists almost everywhere in the world but in the form of sexual perversion.

Recent legalisation of homosexuality in Mauritius raised extreme anger and resentment by some commentators, quote: ‘.. Sexual perversion (including Homosexuality) is certainly not a human right…’. This legalisation also raised several concerns, such as fear of sexual liberalisation in line with perverted sex, such as paedophilia, bestiality, incest or any other non-heterosexual activities. Other types of concerns and fears constitute spread of diseases such as AIDS/HIV and gay marriages, quote: ‘ Legalise homosexuality. Legalise gay marriage…’/ ’…remember your spread of HIV…’.

The author as a commentator, often as a result of offering own views on homosexuality from a positive perspective, was personally attacked and challenged often with anger, frustrations and resentment , such as: ‘…you are lost with your explanation (about homosexuality)./ ’ Don’t try to explain the unexplainable… ‘/ ‘You (Author) not adequately educated and trained to understand…’/ ‘May God light your way.’ and other comments with personal abuses.

To conclude, in this survey homosexuality is perceived necessarily a male sexual problem which is perceived  as a form of perversion, sin, disease, unnatural just as other sexually related perversions which goes against the normal social structure of the Mauritian society. Often the causes of homosexuality are related with abnormal or refined food consumptions. Politically and constitutionally, homosexuality has been viewed with some degree of resentment in Mauritius and any one talking in favour of homosexuality as a normal part of human sexuality is likely to face resentment too with anger and abuse according to this survey. I aim to analyse the above findings and produce a short paper in way of discussing the main points raised in my forthcoming paper.