New Delhi, India – Indian Supreme Court Legalizes Gay Sex reversing its 2013 judgement saying “discrimination on basis of sexual orientation violates rights”
Dipak Misra, Chief justice of India who headed five-judge bench, said on Thursday’s ruling, “Any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation violates fundamental rights.”
The court heard the petition challenging the constitutional validity of Section 377 punishable by a 10-year jail term.
The Thursday’s ruling has boosted up the spirits of gay community members of India. The removal of Section 377 has made them equal citizens of India. Hundreds of LGBTQ campaigners outside the Supereme court of India in New Delhi broke into loud cheers as they heard the new ruling.
The gay community of India faced harassment due to the Section 377, and they feared reporting the offence as they were scares section 377 will be used against them. Violence against homosexuals and transgender individuals in India in recent years has ranged from physical beatings and sexual assault to blackmail, bullying and extortion. Perpetrators of the violence have been family members, the general public and the police, say rights campaigners.
