Members and activists of the LGBTQ community in Ahmedabad have welcomed the historic verdict of the Supreme Court on Thursday that decriminalised consensual same sex acts. This is just the beginning and many challenges have to be won ahead, they said. The verdict marked a burst of emotions, no lesser than what Johann Wolfgang von Goethe had said, "I am what I am" or what Arthur Schopehhauer what said, "No one can escape from their individuality".
"I haven't read the full judgement. But, I like the fact that the community has been stigmatised for too long and that is indeed the case. I read whatever has been going on in the Twitter," said a fully-enthused Dhaval Shah, a member of the LGBTQ community.
The verdict frees the community from fear and, more importantly, sets the tone for more civil rights to be granted to the community, he said.
"The verdict also means the community members will get the right to marry and adopt," said Shah.
The judges said the country needs to apologise to the LGBTQ members community for stigmatising them.
As such, the Indian society has not been homophobic in the sense that we don't see overt cases of violence against homosexuals in public like we do in Western countries, Shah said.
"Our society didn't bother much about two people of the same sex living together. And, the legal bodies also took too long in bringingf out a clear decision," said Shah.
Manvendrasinh Gohil, the gay prince of Rajpipla who championed the cause of LGBTQ, particularly the homosexual men, said
The verdict will now restore the rights of members of the community. "We have won the legal rights. Now, the fight is to get society to accept us the way we are. I am sure eventually we will see the changes in society too," said Gohil to media persons after the verdict.
Urvi Shah, who runs the country's first Arranged Gay Marriage Bureau remembers how she had to register it in Chicago because Indian rules did not permit it as homosexuality was not legal here. "Eventually, we managed to get it registered in Hyderabad. The verdict has made it clear that everyone has a right to be loved and choose whom they want to love," said Shah.
Her bureau so far has helped 48 couples who are in live-in same-sex relations, 43 couples who are married and are in touch with 26 couples who are in a relationship but are yet to move in together.
Shah further said that many LGBTQ people who wanted to get married to their partners chose to go abroad because homosexuality used to be a crime in India. They wanted to evade harassment.
"Even the parents of same-sex partners worried about the legal sword hanging over their head even if they themselves were fine with it," said Shah.
VOICES
The top court’s decision on LGBT is finally like ‘sanity prevailed’. Many might not like the verdict, but this is what exists in the modern world. I have always supported freedom of love in any form and welcome the decision wholeheartedly.
Siddharth Chhaya, writer and novelist
I am extremely glad that those who have been looked down upon as criminals until today will now be looked upon as free individuals having the backing of the law. Scrapping Section 377 brings hope and a sense of social equality and oneness.
Dimple Makwana, Works at Radio Nazariya 107
Section 377 should’ve been decrimi-nalised earlier. The overwhelming response of people from all over the country shows how proud and happy the citizens are. We have witnessed the lawful acceptance of the LGBTQ community today.
Vijay Bhatia, Student, St.Xavier’s College
The landmark verdict is important not only for the LGTBQ community but holds significance as a country. It reflects our growth and is a symbol towards a progressive society. One cannot discriminate against love and individuals based on their gender.
Ankita Roy, Student
The LGBT community had to live in constant fear and with the verdict, they are free and equal citizens. The verdict ensures that they don’t feel marginalised and left out and can stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the society.
Deepak Jitiya, Editor of News Drishti
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