The decriminalisation of homosexuality in India on 6th sept 2018 was my most significant LGBTQ event in my lifetime The Supreme Court's ruling, which overturned a colonial-era law (Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code) that criminalised same-sex relations, marked a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQ rights. The five-judge bench reached a unanimous decision in the capital New Delhi. Delivering his decision, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said, “The LGBTQ community has the same fundamental rights as citizens. The identity of a person is very important and we have to vanquish prejudice, embrace inclusion and ensure equal rights.” It was a triumph for human rights and personal freedom, offering legal recognition and protection to millions of LGBTQ individuals. This watershed moment initiated a more inclusive and accepting society, fostering greater visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ community, challenging deep-seated prejudices, and setting the stage for further legal and social progress in India and up to date is aiding changes to LGBTQ law in India.
3 comments:
Thanks for this! Can you add a link to a news article about the decision?
I think it's really interesting that the decriminalization of homosexuality came with a statement about the rights of queer people. I don't know if these are written into law yet, but I know in the US, the decriminalization of "homosexual behaviors" certainly did not come with the promise of equality or fundamental rights. I would be interested to look more into LGBTQ rights in India, and the battles that were won for this decision to be made possible.
I think it is interesting how they distinguished the queer community from citizens, as to imply that before this, they were not considered citizens of India. It's also interesting to hear about queer history in other countries, as I feel like I have a very Western and American viewpoint on it!
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