LGBTQ activists, members buck up for the long ride

Expressing that there is still a lot to achieve, LGBTQ members and activists after the Supreme Court verdict on Thursday said they will now work towards removing the stigma associated with the community.

"It was a good day for us. Now, we will look to removing the stigma associated with it," said Vivek Anand, chief executive officer, Humsafar Trust. The activist was addressing a press conference at their office soon after the verdict.

He added, "Now that Section 377 is decriminalised, it will open up a new chapter for us. We can now look forward to practicing the various rights that we were denied. I request the stakeholders to work with us for this cause."

Theatre personality, Chitra Palekar, also the parent of a lesbian, said, "It is important for the society to open up to this. There was a time when it was a stigma to write from left hand; people would hit those who did that. I have heard about parents throwing out their children or getting them forcefully married. But this (decision) will hopefully improve things."

Members of the community said they are hopeful of a life with freedom from harassment. "Many people could not complete their study or get a job when they were identified from the community. Some would be addressed to as hijra by people who did not even know the difference," said Urmi Jadhav, member of the community.

"Today we feel like we have won as a society. There are some rights enshrined in the Constitution. We hope that we will get them," said Ankit Bhuptani, who runs Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association.