Shock to celebration: Stories come out day after SC verdict
A mother found out about her son during TV debate, another told him to broadcast it
MUMBAI: Celebration and euphoria swept across the city after the Supreme Court (SC) delivered its verdict decriminalising homosexuality on Thursday. Arnab Nandy, 25, returned home on Thursday evening to find overjoyed parents, who hugged him and told him to now “broadcast” his sexual orientation. “Congratulation son, now it's legal,” they said. Nandy’s mother told him to come out so she no longer has to answer relatives who bring marriage proposals for him.
“My parents have always been law-abiding citizens. They were always worried about what people would say if they found out that I am gay. After the SC’S verdict yesterday, we are not criminals anymore. It has validated their belief and made it easier for them to accept me,” said Nandy.
Nandy, a technical associate, came out to his parents three months ago. “While I was away from home for work, my mother was sensitising people towards the LGBT community. She has come a long way from not knowing anything about the community to spreading awareness about it. People are not born homophobic, it is just the lack of awareness,” said Nandy.
However, for many, this is just the first victory in a series of hurdles to overcome. Uday Kakkar, a 20-year-old student, came out to his mother as a gay man on live television. He hadn’t informed his mother that he would be appearing on a television debate, but she found out. She hasn’t spoken to him since. “Later, she blamed a cousin of mine for my ‘choice’”, Kakkar said.
In the case of Aman Chahal, a media professional, who had come out to his parents three years ago, the SC verdict changed little. Even though his parents have continued their hostility towards him, his childhood friend organised a pride party for Chahal. “My childhood friend whom I have always confided in bought a cake for me. My friends told me they accept me.”