India Set to Decriminalize Homosexuality?

Published June 29, 2009 @ 07:42AM PT

India Homosexuality

This would be such welcome news for the entire global community. Officials in India are hinting that the government is likely to eliminate Section 377 of India's penal code, which punishes people engaged in homosexual conduct with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. Section 377 is one of the leading factors in driving homosexuality underground in India, and is a huge hinderance in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.

It's also important to note that given India's growing influence in the world, this would send a huge message to the global community that another country is willing to start to tackle homophobia in their own backyard.

From the Times Online:

As India held only its second national Gay Pride march yesterday, officials said that the country was planning to repeal a law against homosexuality that was introduced by the British almost 150 years ago....

The new Government that took power in May after the Congress Party’s surprise election victory has indicated that it is ready to change the law, which is at present being challenged in the Delhi High Court, according to Indian media reports.

P. Chidambaram, the Home Minister, has told officials that he supports repealing the law and is due to hold a meeting to discuss the issue soon with the two other ministers whose consent is required — those with the portfolios of Law and Health.

The case before the Delhi High Court was brought by the Naz Foundation, and has been awaiting a ruling for well over a year. Here's hoping that the government's blessing on decriminalizing homosexuality speeds things up in India.

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Comments (5)

Imagine how happy many millions Indian LGBTs will be! And the rest of the world of LGBTs too!

Posted by Peter Tantakarn on 06/29/2009 @ 09:01AM PT
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It's good that the government in India is ready to repeal the intolerant law which criminalizes homosexuality. In addition, the law won't only signal advancement for LGBT rights, but also that India will be saying no to the legacy of colonialism by the United Kingdom. Hopefully, the intolerant law gets repealed this year because any excuse for the support of that law will be worthless. When that law does get repealed, further LGBT rights in India will be obtained.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 06/29/2009 @ 11:33AM PT
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I hope this law is repealed and soon! That would be such a great signal to the world and definitely help the lgbt community in India. I remember when I first read about the rate of suicide among lgbt people. Girls would light themselves on fire rather than live their lives openly and truthfully. Just sad.

Posted by Courtney C............ on 06/29/2009 @ 11:39AM PT
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This is good news! Now, if only the U.S. gov't would give us all equal rights! Maybe this will be the jolt that's needed! I know he met with gay activists today, but I didn't hear him say anything about stopping the criminal ousting of gay service people.

Posted by gilbert barrett on 06/29/2009 @ 04:08PM PT
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it is goos news that the world is beginning to see that there are more Gay people in it. These countries that support Gay rights are on the right path . Why discriminate? Hate is not a family value. The USA being one of the most powerful countries in the world should pass more laws to give gay people the rights they deserve.We,The people,Gay People should support the LGBT more and put pressure on the government of the USA to support us in our right.The rights we deserve!

Posted by Ken Lake on 06/30/2009 @ 04:08PM PT
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