Imphal, December 10: Homosexuals and Nupi Manbi Nupas in Manipuri society are not the same and every Nupi Manbi Nupas are not homosexuals, secretary of Maruploi Foundation Th Surjit has clarified.

This type of confusion is one of the main factors which lead to heightened stigma and discrimination against Nupi Manbi Nupas in Manipur, he said, while reacting to some misleading writings published in some section of the media in Manipur.

He made it clear that there are three types of Nupi Manbi Nupas in Manipur.

The first category are the Nupa Maibis who are associated with performance of rites and rituals in Lai Haraoba.

The second category are the artistes who play the role of female characters in Shumang Leelas and the third category are those who belong to neither of the above two categories, but have the appearance of women by virtue of their nature, he explained.

He pointed out that in 1973 American Psychiatric Association had already defined homosexuality as not a mental and emotional disorder and the same was endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1981.Homosexuality is still a not legally acceptable sexual practice in India and the misconception that Nupi Manbi Nupas and homosexuals are the same leads to stigma and discrimination, Surjit reiterated.

He further asserted that practise of homosexuality is not confined to the Nupi Manbi Nupas alone.

Such practitioners are identified as transsexual, transgender and MSM (Man Having Sex with Man).

He said it is true that HIV/AIDS prevalent among homosexuals, but it would be wrong to assume that all the Nupi Manbi Nupas are the carriers of the virus.

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