For more than 150 years, gay people in India lived in fear of being threatened or blackmailed because having sex with a person of the same gender was considered a crime. People who identified as LGBT+ in that country could be sentenced to life in prison, as it was considered to be “against the order of nature.” But finally, on September 6th, India’s Supreme Court decided to strike down this ban, known as Section 377, a decision that was celebrated by everyone who defends LGBT+ rights in India and abroad.
As a result of this decision, gay people in India should rest assured that any kind of discrimination based on their sexual preferences or gender is not allowed, because it would be a violation of their human rights. In fact, the most important aspect of this ruling is that LGBT+ people will now be entitled to all the constitutional protections.
Photo: @awadhqueer
Section 377 in the Indian Penal Code was installed in the 1860s by the British. It was one of the last remains of British colonization in India. In the 1990s, LGBT+ activists started to protest against the law, but it wasn’t until today that the Supreme Court finally made a decision and put an end to this old and unfair law.
The law was also contrary to Indian culture. One of their most famous books is the Kama Sutra, which refers openly to homosexuality, and even Hinduism has lots of references to it in its temples, where erotic same-sex scenes are depicted.
International organizations such as UNAIDS and Amnesty International celebrated the decision of India’s Supreme Court, as the change of the law will ensure that everyone’s human rights will be protected regardless of their sexual preference.
India has left the list of countries where being gay is a crime, but there are other countries where it is still illegal, in some cases just for men or for women, although most of them are for both genders, particularly in Africa and Asia.
Will we ever see a world where everyone can be free to love whoever they want? We hope that day comes soon.
Cover photo: @durgagawdestudio
***
More LGBT+ stories from around the world:
5 LGBT Latino Artists That Will Inspire You No Matter Your Orientation
The Transgender Muse That Helped Change The Music Scene Of The 1970s
LGBTQ Songs to Celebrate All Kinds Of Love
***