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India's LGBT community marches freely after gay sex decriminalised
By AFP
Published: November 25, 2018
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Indian members and supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community take part in a pride parade in New Delhi on November 25, 2018. - Thousands of people wearing garish outfits rallied in Indian capital on November 25 at the first Gay Pride parade after the landmark ruling by country's top court legalising gay sex. PHOTO: AFP
NEW DEHLI: Thousands marched proudly through Delhi’s street Sunday in the first gay pride parade since India’s highest court decriminalised homosexuality.
Participants waved rainbow flags and placards emblazoned with “Love Wins” and “Adios 377” — a reference to the colonial-era law banning gay sex that was struck down in September.
Organisers said the pride march was the biggest since it began in 2007, with revellers chanting “We Got Our Freedom!” as they celebrated the historic ruling.
“It’s the first time we are not marching as criminals,” said Deepti, one of the organisers from the Delhi Queer Pride Group who goes by one name.
“People are marching with freedom and zero burden,” she said.
India Supreme Court decriminalises homosexuality
The Supreme Court in September struck Section 377 — also known as “unnatural offences” — from the statute books in India, sparking emotional scenes on the steps of the courthouse.
The law, introduced by the British in 1861, carried jail terms of up to 10 years and though rarely enforced was used to harass and intimidate India’s gay community, critics said.
The controversial law was briefly repealed in 2009 but was reimposed on appeal by religious groups in the Supreme Court in 2014.
India is now one of more than 120 countries to have effectively decriminalised homosexuality.
India signals support for legalising gay sex
“This parade is about happiness, happiness and happiness,” Deepanshu Goswami told AFP as jubilant participants flew coloured balloons.
But the gay community still faces stigma in conservative India, where homosexuality remains frowned upon in traditional parts of society.
“It will take one more generation for a social acceptance but the fear factor is gone. I’m enjoying my life as a free citizen now,” he said.
Read more: homosexuality , india , Latest
By AFP
Published: November 25, 2018
SHARE TWEET EMAIL
Indian members and supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community take part in a pride parade in New Delhi on November 25, 2018. - Thousands of people wearing garish outfits rallied in Indian capital on November 25 at the first Gay Pride parade after the landmark ruling by country's top court legalising gay sex. PHOTO: AFP
NEW DEHLI: Thousands marched proudly through Delhi’s street Sunday in the first gay pride parade since India’s highest court decriminalised homosexuality.
Participants waved rainbow flags and placards emblazoned with “Love Wins” and “Adios 377” — a reference to the colonial-era law banning gay sex that was struck down in September.
Organisers said the pride march was the biggest since it began in 2007, with revellers chanting “We Got Our Freedom!” as they celebrated the historic ruling.
“It’s the first time we are not marching as criminals,” said Deepti, one of the organisers from the Delhi Queer Pride Group who goes by one name.
“People are marching with freedom and zero burden,” she said.
India Supreme Court decriminalises homosexuality
The Supreme Court in September struck Section 377 — also known as “unnatural offences” — from the statute books in India, sparking emotional scenes on the steps of the courthouse.
The law, introduced by the British in 1861, carried jail terms of up to 10 years and though rarely enforced was used to harass and intimidate India’s gay community, critics said.
The controversial law was briefly repealed in 2009 but was reimposed on appeal by religious groups in the Supreme Court in 2014.
India is now one of more than 120 countries to have effectively decriminalised homosexuality.
India signals support for legalising gay sex
“This parade is about happiness, happiness and happiness,” Deepanshu Goswami told AFP as jubilant participants flew coloured balloons.
But the gay community still faces stigma in conservative India, where homosexuality remains frowned upon in traditional parts of society.
“It will take one more generation for a social acceptance but the fear factor is gone. I’m enjoying my life as a free citizen now,” he said.
Read more: homosexuality , india , Latest
