Needless to say, the group which was most ecstatic at the scrapping the 148-year old colonial law was none other than the gay community itself. Not only were they overjoyed, they did not shy away from expressing their delight.
On cloud nine
It was fun and frolic time for thousands of transgenders, gays, bisexuals and lesbians across the country. A large number of them assembled at the premises of the Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), a Non Government Organisation (NGO) and danced their hearts out.
"It will be nice to take the man of my dreams to a bar and not have the bouncers throw us out," said Jai (name changed), a gay.
"What we feel about love is the same as what you feel. We have been together for 10 years. You cannot say that is nothing. This is something as basic as the right to love. Who are you to say what we feel is not love," said another gay on the condition of anonymity.
Naz Foundation Trust (India), the organization that had filed the petition in the High Court, described the judgment day as an “exciting” day for people with unusual sexual preferences.
Long way to go
The gay community was optimistic and hoped that the Thursday ruling would mark a beginning of a new era in their lives.
The sexual minority group now looks forward to a series of more positive developments that would include new legal rights, fewer abuses and superior protection from Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Attaining respect and recognition from the society would be absolute bliss for this community. As things stand, the gays would not be arrested, threatened or blackmailed under the garb of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.
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