02 July,2009 12:18 PM IST | | Alisha Coelho
The landmark judgement by the Delhi High Court on Thursday, decriminalising homosexuality, has sparked off euphoria among Mumbai's LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) community who've hailed the ruling as "the best thing to happen to the community since 1860".
Referring to the year when Article 377 was first introduced by the British government in India, activists held the court's verdict as 'overwhelming'.
"I don't know whether I want to cry or laugh. I've got goose bumps down my arms and there've been so many who just burst into tears when the verdict was passed. The law was so repressive and regressive and after eight years of this case being in court, it's a feeling of freedom we're experiencing that's hard to put into words," said lesbian activist Geeta Kumana, of the Aanchal Trust.
The fight is far from over though say others. Vikram Doctor of Gay Bombay says that it is quite likely that the verdict will be challenged in the Supreme Court. "Right now we're fighting three parties including the government and two private challengers. All we can do at this point is to appeal to the government to not challenge the ruling of the court and respect it so that our case is strengthened," said Doctor, who's been receiving calls since morning from across the globe congratulating him on the verdict.
The Mumbai community's Queer Azadi march that is scheduled to take place on August 16 this year will now be a movement towards fighting homophobia and discrimination in the workplace, family and public. "This is only the first step toward erasing years of discrimination that we've had to face but it's a start and one that we're thrilled to have," said Kumana.
Social networking sites meanwhile have been buzzing with users discussing the Delhi HC verdict. Links to the judgement were available online for users on Twitter and Facebook. Said one user, "This world has to accept the fact that people should be allowed to live the way they want to in complete freedom."
What is Section 377?
Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine. Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this Section.
