Queer pride shines bright

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The LGBT community and their supporters are set to rejoice the rainbow colours of queer freedom today and celebrate the completion of one year of amendments that were made in Section 377 by the Delhi High Court on this historic date. Though legalising homosexuality in India was a milestone event, there are still many areas that are left untouched and the fight for equality is still on among the promoters of this movement.
Over the past one year, homosexuals in our country feel that if not “acceptance,” at least the most important thing that has been achieved after this amendment is “tolerance” for LGBTs in society. Says Mohnish Malhotra, who is part of the Delhi Queer Pride Committee, “The fact that homosexuality became legal in India just one year ago has changed a lot of things. On July 2, 2009, the Delhi High Court took the first step in restoring the dignity and rights of LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex) people in India.”
He adds, “With the legalisation of homosexuality at least no one gets harassed by policemen or treated like a criminal because they have same-sex ties. With the kind of support pouring in every year and more people opening up to accept the existence of gays, the scenario will be totally different in the next three-four years.”
However, the first obstacle has been cleared after a long legal battle, issues like inheritance of property to a homosexual partner and same-sex marriage, still need to be sorted out. Gaurav Pramanik, a writer and publicist opines, “We have been a very conservative society for a very long time and even though there was a mention of transgenders and gays in our epic, people always tend to ignore their existence as equals. Slowly one can see the change in the mindset. Now even at the grassroot level, like the uneducated class, many are treating gays with equality due to the awareness created in the past few years.”
So, if you too feel strongly for the betterment of homosexuals in India and want to show your support, head to Jantar Mantar today evening and attend a colourful ceremony of queer pride.