Hare Krishna movement and sexual orientation

Hare Krishna movement in the 1960s

When A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada came to New York City in the 1960s to start his religious movement, he was met by hippies and beatniks such as Allen Ginsberg, Howard Wheeler and Keith Ham, who took an interest in his Krishna-based religion and spirituality.

Allen Ginsberg was involved with Krishnaism, and had been chanting the Hare Krishna mantra since he first visited India in 1963. He befriended Swami Prabhupada, a relationship that is documented by Satsvarupa dasa Goswami in his biographical account Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta. Ginsberg donated money, materials, and his reputation to help the Swami establish the first temple, and toured with him to promote his cause. Ginsberg also claimed to be the first person on the North American continent to chant the Hare Krishna mantra. Music and chanting were both important parts of Ginsberg's live delivery during poetry readings. He often accompanied himself on a harmonium, and was often accompanied by a guitarist. When Ginsberg asked if he could sing a song in praise of Lord Krishna on William F. Buckley, Jr.'s TV show "Firing Line" on September 3, 1968, Buckley acceded and the poet chanted slowly as he played dolefully on a harmonium. According to Richard Brookhiser, an associate of Buckley's, the host commented that it was "the most unharried Krishna I've ever heard." Ginsberg spoke with Swami Prabhupada on many occasions and discussed the importance that the mantra and Krishna Consciousness can have on the world.

Howard Wheeler and Keith Ham were two early followers of Swami Prabhupada. Howard and Keith met at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, became lovers, and then moved to New York. In New York City, they met Swami Prabhupada, began following him, and went on to play prominent roles in the Hare Krishna movement. Keith Ham became Kirtanananda Swami, and Howard Wheeler became Hayagriva Swami. After becoming involved in the Hare Krishna movement, Kirtanananda became "celibate" (though later was caught breaking his vows), and Hayagriva was married by Prabhupada to Shyama Dasi. The marriage lasted eleven years, and later he was married to Purnamasi Dasi. Nevertheless, the book Monkey On A Stick (by John Hubner and Lindsey Gruson, 1988 and 1990) suggests that Hayagriva was likely seeing men throughout those years too. Hayagriva died of cancer in 1989. Kirtanananda Swami, on the other hand, was supposed to be "celibate", but was eventually caught being intimate with a boy in 1993. This was the final incident that basically resulted in Kirtanananda being removed from the New Vrindaban Community that he and Hayagriva founded. Kirtanananda, in recent years, has left the United States. Keith Ham died on October 24, 2011 at a hospital in Thane, near Mumbai, India with reasons being quoted as Kidney Failure.

Contemporary

Musician Boy George was openly involved with the Hare Krishna movement, members of ISKCON have appeared in several of his stage performances, and his 1991 song "Bow Down Mister", recorded by his band Jesus Loves You, includes the Hare Krishna mantra and other references to the Hare Krishnas. Regarding homosexuality and the Hare Krishna movement, George says in his book Take It Like a Man, "A swami, who I was very fond of, told me it was harder for homosexuals to enter the gates of heaven. I replied, 'especially if you keep them shut.'" George also wrote, "Some devotees are obviously uncomfortable with my association with Krishna Consciousness. Others treat me with utmost respect and kindness."

Recent ISKCON views

In 2001, several LGBT members of ISKCON joined together to form GALVA, The Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association (see link below). GALVA works to provide information and support to all LGBT Hare Krishnas, Vaishnavas and Hindus in general. The organization is also dedicated to reminding straight members about the importance of all-inclusiveness and accommodating all members of society in Krishna consciousness. Since its inception, GALVA has expanded its membership to over two thousand and many leaders (such as Bhakti Tirtha Swami) have applauded its efforts.

Regarding the issue of accommodating LGBT persons within the Hare Krishna movement, Hridayananda dasa Goswami—a leading member of ISKCON—has stated, "We should encourage all people from all backgrounds to come to Krishna consciousness, and it is natural to form various associations to support the diverse Vaishnava communities in their spiritual practices. Surely Lord Krishna appreciates and blesses all sincere efforts to help others advance in Krishna consciousness. Vaishnavas should endeavor to bring Lord Caitanya's mercy to all living beings, and we must treat all devotees, and indeed all creatures with appropriate dignity and respect." (Chakra editorial, 1/30/2003)

Regarding the issue of Gay Monogamy and Same-sex marriage, Hridayananda dasa Goswami has further stated, "It is the duty of any society to recognize, and thus encourage, the admirable behavior of its members. Monogamy, among devotees of any orientation, is an admirable achievement in the context of today's promiscuous society, and should be thus appreciated and encouraged. Given the need to balance strict varnasrama with liberal spirituality, I believe that ISKCON should recognize and encourage monogamy among all its members of whatever orientation, and that such recognition and encouragement should take appropriate forms that achieve both purposes: the maintenance of varnasrama and the encouraging of spiritual sincerity. I am not convinced that marriage is the best means in all cases, but some serious, formal and public recognition and appreciation of gay monagamy is, in my view, in the best interest of ISKCON and its members." (Open Letter to Chakra, 12/11/2004)

However, other ISKCON leading members have firmly protested against Hridayananda dasa Goswami's views. Among them are Danavir Goswami, and Bhakti Vikasa Swami. In his essay "Moral Thesis Unveiled", written as a criticism to Hridayananda dasa Goswami's views on sexual morality which were stated in a paper called “Vaisnava Moral Theology and the Homosexual Issue” ( also called "Moral Thesis" ), Danavir Goswami has stated: "Now by disclosing this “easier rule-lesser of evils” theory, the Moral Thesis makes it easy to see the basis of the “gay monogamy” proposition. In a vain attempt to support this objective, the Moral Thesis employs pieced-together bits of mundane interpretations of scriptural stories."

Hindu religious narratives

In the Hindu tradition, in the Upanishada and sacred texts, Brahmacharya (austere celibacy in mind, word, and deed) is described and extolled. Further, it is held as the prerequisite for the spiritual progress of a human being (CIF Brahmacharya, Gettha Press, Gorakhpur). Sublimation of sexuality and observance of celibacy are mandated even for married couples for spiritual progress.

The Sakhi-Bekhi

The sakhi-bekhis are prominent throughout Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh although their numbers have diminished in recent years. Members of this sect typically dress themselves as women in order to reinforce their identity as sakhis or girlfriends of Krishna and to attain the esteemed spiritual emotion known as sakhi-bhava. Such men are not always transgender or homosexual but in many cases they are. In modern times, the sakhi-bekhi sect was condemned as sahajiya (unauthentic) when some members began making public shows of their romantic feelings for Krishna while at the same time having illicit relations with cudadharis (men dressed up as Krishna with a crown of peacock feathers). Nowadays, most sakhi-bekhis crossdress in private and are less conspicuous. They generally worship Sri Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna, although some specifically worship Lord Caitanya (the incarnation of Radha and Krishna combined) and are known as gauranga-nagaris. Neither group practices castration.