It is a different story for lesbians, however. Although it is no secret that dormitories record incidences of lesbianism and studies have corroborated the fact, it is kept a secret fearing loss of marriage prospects. And marriage, after all, is society's idea of a woman's ultimate nirvana. Psychologists say many shakhis may be substitutes for boyfriends. Most succumb to it, despite their sexual preferences, and end up miserably knotted.
Heterosexual girls suffer in marriages with male gays too.
I can't run away from my responsibilities. I have a family. Many gays, forced into marriage, often resort to clandestine and then increasingly open gay relationships, leaving women with a dead marriage to have and to hold. There are some instances of lesbians entering permanent relationships, but most lesbians are married and whatever sexual liaisons they may enter into are purely by chance. The tolerance level for lesbians is very low in Bengali society.