Gay Parade in India, against section 377

mirage · Jun 28th, 2009, 12:24 PM

When Indian Govt is already thinking over repeal.

NEW DELHI: The government is planning to repeal the law that criminalizes homosexuality. The home ministry, which has consistently opposed any change in Section 377 of the IPC that treats private consensual intercourse between same-sex adults as a crime, now appears to have changed its stand. ( Watch )

Home minister P Chidambaram is learnt to have expressed an opinion that favours the repeal of Section 377 to his officials. This is in stark contrast to his predecessor Shivraj Patil, who doggedly refused to make any changes in the 150-year-old law, introduced in India by the British, and junked by the UK 40 years ago.

Law minister Veerappa Moily has already said that he is in favour of a ‘‘review’’ of the law, and the health ministry — the third key ministry whose assent would be required to amend Section 377 — has historically favoured its repeal.

Sources in the home ministry said that Chidambaram, will speed up matters by taking Moily and health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's "formal" view of at a joint meeting. The issue will also be discussed with state governments in order to ascertain their opinion, the sources added.

Officials believe that the government's stand may change when it comes to the Delhi High Court, which is considering a petition challenging arrests under section 377, because of the law minister's support for a "review".

Although the court has already finished hearing arguments on the petition filed by the non-profit Naz Foundation in 2001, the matter can be taken up afresh.

A senior official said, "If there is a consensus over repealing the law or bringing some suitable changes to decriminalise homosexual relationships, the ministry can submit before the court that it has changed its position".

Earlier, the home ministry's position was that homosexuality is not accepted by Indian society and repealing the law would open the floodgates of delinquent behaviour. It also argued that this is the only law on the statute books that can be applied in cases of child abuse and male rape.

The health ministry, on the other hand, had argued that homosexuals are vulnerable to HIV/Aids and so the discrimination against them should end.

Another step towards a Proud Seculiar India. And forsure going to influence Pakistan like every otherthing does. God. Whats next.

source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/A...ow/4711198.cms

Slickstar · Jun 29th, 2009, 09:48 AM

Good news for freedom.

afishcurry · Jun 30th, 2009, 03:47 PM

I always knew some Maulana will check this march and media too will go into silence..

Had the objection come from some hindu leader media wud have bene frying that person alive.

Anyway thanks to regressive Deobandis this rule is going to stay till eternity.

Slickstar · Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Gay sex 'not criminal' in India

A court in the Indian capital, Delhi, has ruled that homosexual intercourse between consenting adults is not a criminal act.
The ruling overturns a 148-year-old colonial law which describes a same-sex relationship as an "unnatural offence".
Homosexual acts were punishable by a 10-year prison sentence.
Many people in India regard same-sex relationships as illegitimate. Rights groups have long argued that the law contravened human rights.
Delhi's High Court ruled that the law outlawing homosexual acts was discriminatory and a "violation of fundamental rights".
The court said that a statute in Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which defines homosexual acts as "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" and made them illegal, was an "antithesis of the right to equality".

The ruling is historic in a country where homosexuals face discrimination and persecution on a daily basis but it is likely to be challenged, says the BBC's Soutik Biswas in Delhi.
It also promises to change the discourse on sexuality in a largely conservative country, where even talking about sex is largely taboo, our correspondent says.
Gay rights activists all over the country welcomed the ruling and said it was "India's Stonewall".
New York's Stonewall riot in 1969 is credited with launching the gay rights movement.
"It [the ruling] is India's Stonewall. We are elated. I think what now happens is that a lot of our fundamental rights and civic rights which were denied to us can now be reclaimed by us," activist and lawyer Aditya Bandopadhyay told the BBC.

"It is a fabulously written judgement, and it restores our faith in the judiciary," he said.
Leading gay rights activist and the editor of India's first gay magazine Ashok Row Kavi welcomed the judgement but said the stigma against homosexuals will persist.
"The social stigma will remain. It is [still] a long struggle. But the ruling will help in HIV prevention. Gay men can now visit doctors and talk about their problems. It will help in preventing harassment at police stations," Mr Kavi told the BBC.
But the decision was greeted with unease by other groups.
Father Dominic Emanuel of India's Catholic Bishop Council said the church did not "approve" of homosexual behaviour.
"Our stand has always been very clear. The church has no serious objection to decriminalising homosexuality between consenting adults, the church has never considered homosexuals as criminals," said Father Emanuel.
"But the church does not approve of this behaviour. It doesn't consider it natural, ethical, or moral," he said.
In 2004, the Indian government opposed a legal petition that sought to legalise homosexuality - a petition the high court in Delhi dismissed.
But rights groups and the Indian government's HIV/Aids control body have demanded that homosexuality be legalised.
The National Aids Control Organisation (Naco) has said that infected people were being driven underground and efforts to curb the virus were being hampered.
According to one estimate, more than 8% of homosexual men in India were infected with HIV, compared to fewer than 1% in the general population.

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Slickstar · Jul 2nd, 2009, 03:49 AM

Good news for freedom and gay people across India.

pallavpotter · Jul 2nd, 2009, 06:15 AM

If India is really a Secular country, then it need not haveto lick some crazy maulvis stupid rantings.

saregamapa · Jul 2nd, 2009, 11:14 AM

Same-sex Behavior Seen In Nearly All Animals, Review Finds

Same-sex behavior is a nearly universal phenomenon in the animal kingdom, common across species, from worms to frogs to birds, concludes a new review of existing research.

Are humans different?

Animals often in same-sex relationships - Science Fair - USATODAY.com

saregamapa · Jul 2nd, 2009, 11:38 AM

Homosexuality is in my DNA: Suneet Varma - Potpourri - Entertainment - The Times of India

We're free: Suneet Verma

"This is a landmark victory. We're a secular nation, and every being should have the right to choose their religion. And also make their sexual choices. This gives us the freedom of making personal choices. I feel the government has given me my dignity and right to choose the way I wish to live. Now, I can live according to my rules. This is a big deal for future generations, they won't live in fear or self-loathing. They can walk with their head held high.

It's it fantastic, times are changing. We're now showing signs that we're a changing and progressive nation. Choosing your sexuality won't be a big deal in the future. Young boys won't be spending sleepless nights thinking how to deal with their family when they find out that they're gay. They won't be forced into marriage. They won't ruin lives of a woman. And make a mockery of her. Finally, the society has evolved.

Well, everyone has the right to choose how and with whom they want to live. Now, we can excercise the choice without any fear. I can now look into the mirror honestly, without guilt and shame. Now that I ever lived a dual life.

I came out in the open about my sexuality from a young age. I never feared that I'd be ridiculed. How could I say otherwise, when my homesexuality was in my DNA. I meet young people who are similar, on the crossroads of deciding what their sexuality is — I find them eaily disturbed, depressed and sad. If they're not strong they become alcoholics. They're scared to face reality.

The legal judgment is a step ahead, for giving thousands of young Indian men their dignity, their pride, their right to live. I'm proud of the two judges for having the strength to take this decision. India has finally woken up. We're free.''

hollowman · Jul 2nd, 2009, 12:43 PM

Excellent news for Freedom fighters

queer · Jul 2nd, 2009, 12:50 PM

haha.. awesome news. was listening to the bbc while driving and they had an indian gay rights activist and an indian roman catholic spokesman talk it out, and boy did the priest get sodomized with kindness and compassion from the gay girl. LOL.