Soon a party with sexual liberation on its manifesto

A political party for sexual liberation. Does it sound like a spoof? Tamil transgender media star Rose Venkatesan doesn’t think so. She has been thinking about it for a while and is now ready for its launch. The words “sexual” and “liberation” are not used just for effect; she means every bit. [caption id=“attachment_238725” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Rose has hosted two television shows and is presently the host of a radio show in Chennai. Firstpost”]  [/caption] So here are some of her initial proposals: legalise prostitution and brothels; change adultery laws, lower the minimum age for sex to 14-15 years. Hmmm…quite revolutionary. It’s indeed about sexual liberation. For legalising prostitution and brothels, she proposes a constitution amendment; she wants the age for sex to be lowered because it is in adolescence, according to her, that one feels sexual repression. In terms of adultery laws, she questions the logic why only men are punished and not women. Given a choice, she would like the adultery laws to go. According to Venkatesan, it is not entirely possible for every person to be committed to just one partner. The rules of marriage in fact infringe on the rights of people, she said. At a press conference in Chennai on Wednesday Venkatesan was alone; but she says she has many supporters and will bring in more people through rallies and other events like a ‘slut walk’. The party will be open to contesting elections as well. Rose, originally named Ramesh Venkatesan, has been dressing as a woman since her early twenties and has a degree in mechanical engineering. She shot to fame through a television talk show “Ippadikku Rose” (Yours Truly Rose) on a popular Tamil channel, Vijay TV. She subsequently shifted to the Kalaignar TV with a show titled “Ithu Rose Neram” (This is Rose Time) before ending up as a radio jockey in Big FM last year anchoring an afternoon dial in programme, “Rosudan Pesungal” (Talk to Rose). She was recently seen on a national talk show on NDTV on section 377 of the Indian Penal code.