LGBTQ community celebrates SC verdict
LUCKNOW :Flaunting the rainbow flag with pride, the LGBTQ community in the state capital welcomed the SC verdict on decriminalization of homosexuality here on Thursday.
Under the overcast evening skies, the members and supporters of the community celebrated the SC verdict regarding Article 377 by terming it an “Aazadi” moment. Civil Rights group and people from AIDWA also extended their support to the community.
“Duniya bas gulabi aur asmani hi nahi, satrangi hai, aaj se ye hum haq se kah sakenge (The world is not just pink or blue, it has several shades, we can say this freely from today),” said Ritwik, a 21-year-old member of the community while waving the trademark rainbow-coloured flag. The group of 30 odd members and supporters raised slogans of ‘Happy Independence day’, ‘Aazadi Mubarak’ and congratulated each other with emotional hugs without covering their face.
A five-judge bench of Supreme Court on Thursday partially struck down Article 377 which considered sexual relationship between two people of the same sex as illegal. “No more harassment, no more threats, no more looking down upon. For the first time in my life I feel as an equal citizen,” said Raza, another member of the LGBTQ community.
The members were accompanied by people who supported them in their long struggle to get judicial recognition. Sadaf Jafar, one of the supporters also attended the symbolic celebration at the GPO right near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. “Our ancestors fought to make a country where all citizens are treated equally. Yet, people from LGBTQ community were not seen as equal citizens. This has changed
today,” she said. The members celebrated by cutting a cake and braced each other to take their fight forward. “The decision of the Supreme Court is an important milestone, it is not the destination,” said Darvesh, a member
of the community. “Our community will continue to fight for mental health of people of our community and their acceptance in society. Without acceptance this milestone will just remain symbolic,” he added.