PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: September 6, 2018
Media Contact: contact@trikone.org, (844) 90-3-KONE
TRIKONE APPLAUDS SUPREME COURT OF INDIA FOR DECRIMINALISING HOMOSEXUALITY!
Trikone applauds the unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of India to decriminalise homosexuality. In a historic judgement, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday has struck down the Section 377, a controversial British-era ban on consensual gay sex, reversing its own 2013 decision. A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra gave the the verdict to scrap the law. The Chief Justice, while reading out the verdict said criminalising gay sex is irrational and indefensible.
“We have to bid adieu to prejudices and to empower all citizens“, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said, reading out the judgement. Four judges gave a concurrent judgement.
The Chief Justice also said: “No one can escape from their individualism. Society is now better for individualism. In the present case, our deliberations will be on various spectrums“.
Some other quotes were:
- Section 377 was a weapon to harass members of LGBT community, resulting in discrimination
- Section 377 is arbitrary. LGBT community possess rights like others. Majoritarian views and popular morality cannot dictate constitutional rights
- Autonomy of an individual is important. He or she can not surrender it to anyone
- Homosexuality is not a mental disorder
While we rejoice the moment, let us be aware that the fight is far from over. Fellow South Asian countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, etc. still have the British-era Section 377 etched into their penal code.
We hope that the decision by the Supreme Court of India will pave the way for the other countries and their legal system to take note. And we hope that they will start recognising the human rights of the community.
Let’s celebrate any and every good news, while being vigilant that there are miles to go before we stop fighting.