Hare Krishna movement and sexual orientation

[1] Same-sex relations and gender variance have been represented within Hinduism from Vedic times through to the present day, in rituals, law books, mythical narratives, commentaries, paintings, and sculpture.

In Prabhupada's own words, from the conversation he had with one of his disciples, Govinda Dasi, "The sex life between man and woman can be sanctified by marriage.

"[5] 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.

In New York City, they met Swami Prabhupada, began following him, and went on to play prominent roles in the Hare Krishna movement.

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.

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.

Keith Ham died on October 24, 2011, at a hospital in Thane, near Mumbai, India with reasons being quoted as Kidney Failure.

"[12] 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.