The Delhi high court order legalising gay sex among consenting adults has been welcomed as a landmark judgment that will usher in a new period of freedom for the country’s gay community. Expressing her views on the decision, Anahita Sarabhai, daughter of danseuse Mallika Sarabhai, said, “We are finally demonstrating what a democracy is and should be. Everybody should be allowed to live life as he (or she) wants it. This judgment will prove a boon to the gay community. At the same time, one should respect the values of society and the religious beliefs of people. I’m really proud of our Constitution.”
Fashion consultant Umang Hutheesing, too, sees the high court order as another affirmation of the right to equality. “Everyone has the right to pursue happiness in whatever manner he likes,” Hutheesing said. “Everybody has the right to choose his life partner. In fact, the right to pursue happiness is a constitutionally protected right. What people do in their personal spaces is nobody’s business. Legalising gay sex between consenting adults will give homosexuals the freedom they have wanted for years.”
Some people see the whole legal debate over gay sex as a non-issue.
“It was always a non-issue,” said hotelier Abhay Mangaldas. “How often have we come across people being arrested for being gay?” Mangaldas added that the fact that the judgment has been well received shows that people are becoming broad-minded.
Kiran Sethi, an educationist, is also happy with the Delhi high court’s decision.
“Legalising gay sex is an extremely mature decision because the gay community can now make a free choice in the matter. If people are sensible enough to vote and choose the country’s leader, they are, I believe, sufficiently mature to choose their partners as well. However, I would advise that people choose their partners responsibly,” said Sethi.
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