“We’ve won, we’ve won!” screamed the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community gleefully, amid drum beats and loud music.
What the Celebs Think
“No, I very much support the right of every individual to live the way that he or she chooses. As a society we should move towards being inclusive and respectful of our differences” - Aamir Khan, actor
“I came out in the open about my sexuality from a young age. How could I say otherwise, when my sexuality was in my DNA” - Suneet Verma, fashion designer
“In a democratic country like India, where right to equality is a constitutional right, it was very important to give homosexuals their due” - John Abraham, actor
“I signed for this petition to legalise homosexuality. People should have the freedom to decide. Pushing things under the carpet will only make things worse” - Shubha Mudgal, singer
“I have been receiving threats from radical and cultural groups. But I stood for the fundamental rights of a human being, so what if he or she is a homosexual” - Celina Jaitly, actress
“These (gays) are sick people and should be sent to hospitals. Then they can marry or stay bachelors just like me” - Baba Ramdev
Two former judges of Delhi High Court – Justice J D Kapoor and Justice R S Sodhi - on Friday, July 4, ruled out any scope for confusion. “Indian Penal Code is a central act and when the Delhi High Court is reading down a specific section in it, the change is applicable all over the country and not merely Delhi,” held Justice J D Kapoor.
This means that the gay community across India (except Jammu and Kashmir) can draw benefit from the Delhi High Court’s Ruling.
”I am Legal!”
The ruling was the effect of Article 15(2), which excludes everyone from being discriminating against due to his/her sexual orientation. Hence, from now on, homosexuals cannot be discriminated while accessing any public place as listed in Article 15(2).
Yet another contribution of the ruling is the enhancement of the concept of privacy in the society which has a habit of meddling in others’ affairs. The court said that the concept of privacy allows people to develop human relations without any interference from any community or state.
For the present generation of gay activists, who resisted all societal pressure to remain in the closet, this is a life changing moment.
From this moment on, they can begin their fight for a truly equal society; a society where they can come out in the open without fearing being locked up behind bars and being ghettoized on account of their sexual preferences.
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