The year was a year of change for the homosexual community in India, with gay pride parades being organised in various cities.
The year 2008 was a year of change for the homosexual community in India, with gay pride parades being organised in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Puducherry. Deepak Kashyap, student and gay rights activist, said the year had been a good one for Indian homosexuals.
“Yes, the law leaves a lot to be desired," he said, "but I think we as a community are moving in the right direction. There were celebs who came out of the closet and many people look up to them. This is a step towards social responsibility and I think it’s remarkable.”
Kashyap was speaking of the controversial section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises homosexuality.
IT professional Girish Patwardhan said, “The whole attitude towards our community is very negative. Discrimination happen at the lowest level, that is in our own homes.” He spoke of an incident in which a conversation about homosexuality made his cousin shudder with disgust. “This is how a majority of youth react to it," he said. "Things have changed for us, but in a very small way.”
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) community in India may still be struggling to find its niche, but its members agree that 2008 was a year of change and hope that in the new year they will no longer be criminals in their country.
Kashyap said, "Looking at the unprecedented advance in 2008, like the international interest in the gay prince of Rajpipla and the pride parades, people will look at it in the future and say: ‘This is where it all began'."
Student Shrishti Saxena said a lot more needs to be done. "If a person is a responsible daughter, good friend, and caring partner, why does it matter to anyone who she wants to spend her life with?" she said. "The fact is, even after coming out, according to the law I am still a criminal, and this disturbs my family more than me.
"Yes, 2008 was memorable, but many of the so-called educated lot still find us mentally retarded."
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