India celebrates one year since gay sex was decriminalised
LGBT+ campaigners celebrate the repeal of Section 377, which decriminalised gay sex. (ARUN SANKAR/AFP/Getty)
India’s LGBT+ community is celebrating on the first anniversary of the decriminalisation of gay sex.
The five judges of the Supreme Court were unanimous in their decision to overturn the ban on consensual same-sex relations on September 6 last year, which used to be punishable by up to a life prison sentence.
The now-repealed Section 377, introduced when India was ruled by the British Empire, previously banned gay sex in the country.
On the first anniversary of the milestone, LGBT+ Indians and their allies have taken to social media to celebrate the occasion.
“For everyone who fought the long battle, you’ve come a long way,” wrote news anchor Poulomi Saha.
“For the struggle that still lies ahead, keep your chin up.”
India decriminalises gay sex – one year on.
In the lead up to the September 2018 ruling, the Supreme Court heard testimonies from celebrities and numerous petitions arguing for gay sex between consenting adults to be legalised.
Marking the first anniversary of the repeal of Section 377, film-maker Apurva Asrani posted: “Happy 1st Independence day to India’s thriving #LGBTQ community & to all our friends & allies.
The Supreme Court’s decision was unanimous. (INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty)
“1 year ago, 5 brave petitioners took the hopes of millions to a 5 judge bench of the SC. Justice, though delayed, was finally served.”
The Twitter account for the centre-left political party Indian National Congress, meanwhile, posted: “One year ago the Supreme Court passed a landmark judgement to decriminalise Section 377, we celebrate that decision today.
Justice, though delayed, was finally served.
“The Congress party has always fought for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community & will continue to do so. Equality is the right of every citizen.”
LGBT+ figures and allies mark decriminalisation of gay sex in India on social media.
India’s Manvendra Singh Gohil, the first openly gay prince in the world, revealed in an interview marking the first anniversary of the decision that his parents subjected him to shock therapy in an attempt to ‘cure’ him of his sexuality.
Gohil, the son of the Maharaja of Rajpipla in Gujarat, told Business Insider India that his parents also forced him to have counselling – and even enquired about surgery – in a bid to ensure that he was heterosexual.
Despite the decriminalisation of homosexuality in India, studies suggest LGBT+ people still feel a huge social stigma around coming out the closet.
In October last year, research by LGBT+ social networking site Romeo that half of the 3,392 gay, bisexual and transgender Indian men who participated in its survey are still not out to their families and friends.
