Where are the threats of a boycott, the calls for isolation, the outraged letters to the Prime Minister? Where are the rainbow logos, the delegations of human rights activists, the declarations of solidarity? On 16 March Bangladesh is to host the T20 World Cup, one of the top limited overs tournaments in international cricket. All the top cricketing nations, including England, will participate. Yet the competition has not attracted so much as a bat squeak of protest from gay rights campaigners, despite the fact that Bangladesh has an appalling record of institutionalised discrimination against homosexuals. Indeed, same-sex activity remains a criminal offence in the country.
Similarly, not a single objection has been made to India’s cricket tour of England this summer, which will involve five Test matches and six one-day internationals. This equanimity from the gay rights lobby is astonishing, given that last December India’s Supreme Court decided to reaffirm the country’s legal ban on homosexuality.
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