Gay IndiaOn Thursday, the Delhi High Court declared that laws targeting gay sex between consenting adults was a violation of human rights as protected by the Indian Constitution. This ends a 150-year-old statute against "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" that has existed since the time of the British Empire.
The ruling only affects Delhi, but could lead to further challenges and changes across India.
"I think this is quite fantastic," said Anjali Gopalan, director of the Naz Foundation, an HIV/AIDS awareness group. "It's a big step forward, although there are many more steps ahead."
"This is going to impact the whole country," added A.J. Hariharan, founder of Chennai, a gay rights group. "This will change the lives of millions of gays and lesbians in India."
Condemnation of the ruling was swift from religious circles.
"This is dangerous and harmful for Indian society," said Uzma Nahid, member of an Islamic law board. "Western countries allow these things and you see the effects -- people take drugs, parents don't care about their children. If the father doesn't concentrate on his wife, this could undermine the whole family."
Really? That's his best argument? Guess they'll let anyone pass the bar exam in India ...
The courts decision is more symbolic than anything. Socially homosexuality is not acceptable in India, and people will still need to work through personal relationships and deal with the immediate affects of prejudice and homophobia.
"There's still a mental block," said Rahil Zafar, 22, a student. "I don't want my family to know. They keep the pressure on me."
Still, activists are hoping the ruling will deter corrupt cops from blackmailing gays with the archaic law, or threatening to out them to family.
That's a pretty impressive first step!
India gays win landmark ruling decriminalizing homosexual sex
[LA Times]
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