How and where to start? I guess it would be only appropriate to start from the heart. Firstly, Fateh to all of you who are reading this letter. I hope this letter finds you in good spirits or better yet in a state of chardi kalaa.

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

One can never be sure what to write when responding in this manner. Because each person who reads it will be only limited to my thoughts as they appear in text, and will reflect upon them based on their life experiences and all of its nuances such as gender, education, literacy levels, etc. Similarly, we as Sikhs (a learner, a student, a pupil, a disciple…) have the same challenges and complexities with respect to being on the journey of learning through the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Every human being who has the blessed opportunity to read the Guru Granth will have a different reflection of Sikhism. Just simply reading the Granth Sahib also limits us to the full appreciation of the writings, which were written in a poetic style and in certain raags that were meant to be sung to get the full experience.

Sikhism is a personal journey, which challenges one to be in sahaj / equipoise in every aspect of life. As often quoted from the Guru Granth conquering ourselves, we conquer the world. A formidable tool towards that goal for Sikhs is the Guru Granth. But as we are all too aware, the words themselves don't have value unless they are reflected and acted upon as it applies to our worldly duties.

There is many a topic that comes up within our daily lives that challenge us of our daily duties as Sikhs, and unless we ourselves apply the principles outlined within the Guru Granth to make sound, rational, and sensitive judgement then we have in some part failed in the process of life. Likewise with respect to the topic of Homosexuality, I would first encourage everyone interested in this topic to first get as much background on the topic itself, this is our duty and obligation as Sikhs (students of life). Furthermore, I would go so far as to say even if the topic doesn't interest you, it should. We as a community have to be able to respond to the world around us. Just because you might not know of someone who is gay or lesbian doesn't exclude one automatically from undertaking the task of learning about the topic of Homosexuality. We would be very ignorant if our interests only lay in those people or things for which we have contact. Can you imagine people in a country not learning about Sikhs just because they have never met a Sikh, we would be offended by this behaviour.

I would like to say kudos to Jasbir Singh for drawing attention to the topic of Homosexuality to a wonderful web service and to a group of great people, I hope even more people will be drawn to understand this issue. Once again I want to remind the readers of the limitation of words when reading this letter. The topic of Homosexuality is one that I am very familiar with as it is an area that I professionally advocate for. One of the many Turbans that I wear is that of Diversity Relations Officer and amongst the broad topics within my Diversity portfolio is address issues of Sexual Orientation. So I would like to start off by providing some information to help get a better understanding of Homosexuality.

Firstly, it is important to know and understand the difference between sexual orientation and sexuality. Sexual orientation is something you are born with and it can be either heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual. You are born with your sexual orientation. If you don't necessarily believe me, I ask you, if you identify as a heterosexual, to tell me the date and time you chose to be heterosexual. I as a heterosexual male was born a heterosexual. You don't chose to be heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual you are born with your sexual orientation.

Sexuality is what your sexual preferences are in relation to sexual stimulation / gratification. People choose to be sexually stimulated in a variety of ways and in many cases, heterosexual males (just for the purpose of this example I am using male gender) are in fact very often stimulated with lesbianism, which is homosexual behaviour - female with female imagery or behaviours. The sexual orientation of heterosexual males in the above example is still heterosexual, I doubt they would classify themselves as homosexual. Some people through experimentation may develop or change their sexuality, that is, ways in which they are sexual stimulated, but their sexual orientation still remains the same.

If the above is not strong enough as an argument people usually then use a couple of other reference points to denounce homosexuality. Often people say it does not fit in with who we are as humans, that is, to reproduce or the so-called evolution theory. Well with a little bit of thought one knows that not all human beings can reproduce, I know of both genders, males and females, who for one reason or another cannot reproduce. Does this make them less of a human or deviant for engaging in sexual activity that does not result in reproduction?

We all cannot reproduce and it is not the sole purpose of existence or a mandatory requirement to be considered a good human being. Furthermore, people talk about two males or two females raising a child does not constitute a "family". I know of children who are being raised by single parents, male and female, buy male and female parents, buy aunts and uncles and by grandparents. I know of "families" who have only daughters, only sons, son and daughter, no kids etc etc. I know of "families" There never has been a real concept of family and there never will be. If two men or women can raise a healthy child what more can we ask for, there are a lot of children who are looking for a better environment to grow and be raised in. If you believe same sex couples who raise heterosexual children will make them homosexual, then how do you explain homosexual children who were raised by homosexual parents? Yes there is an institution of marriage and as we start to understand it evolves it does to. We only need to look at the issue of gender equity that truth was made clear over 500 years ago and we still are struggling to implement the truth.

I am getting a little tired in writing this and don't know how much in detail I should go. But I clearly want to say that I believe in the Guru's philosophy to "accept all people as your equals, and let them be your only sect: conquering ourselves, we conquer the world". The Guru Granth has for me done what it was meant for as I believe-provide me with the mental freedom to reflect, understand, and act with good thoughts and deeds and intentions. Jasbir, I am with you fully because that's the only way one can be accepted, and not in believing that I accept you as a human and condemn you as a homosexual.

Some quick last minute thoughts, Anuvinder Singh Ji, while some of your points are well taken, it cannot always be possible to write in that form. I for one am not well versed in the Guru Granth Sahib but do consider myself well read. Furthermore, Jasbir mentions 2 million Sikhs worldwide, which includes Sikhs in India, the figure of 2 million was taken from the population of Sikhs worldwide. Worldwide on the most part assumes India too. I believe you thought it to represent only Sikhs outside of India. Please note I am not set on any figure just the topic of Homosexuality and Sikhs.

Using the sentiments of Martin Luther King, if I have said anything in this letter that overstates the truth and indicating an unreasonable impatience, I beg you to forgive me. If I have said anything that understates the truth and indicates my having a patience that allows me to settle for anything less than brotherhood and sisterhood I beg Waheguru to forgive me.

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Fateh,

Pardeep Singh Nagra