LGBT people mobilize in fight against IPC 377

NEW DELHI: Almost two months after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of IPC 377, activists and people belonging to the LGBT community have announced a broad advocacy campaign. They will hold street protests, work with educational institutions and political parties to sensitize them, and empower the community.
The campaign, ‘207 against 377’, against re-criminalization of homosexual acts has been initiated by India HIV/AIDS Alliance along with 207 co-operating organizations from 17 states.
The organizers claim violence against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people has increased since the judgment. “Parents of LGBT people ask us if their kids are now more likely to get arrested,” said Ashok Row Kavi, founder of Humsafar Trust.
“We will start documenting such incidents in formal case studies,” said Shaleen Rakesh, another activist. He stressed that men socializing in public are often apprehended by police and even social workers distributing condoms are being intimidated. However, most of these incidents go unreported, he added.
Even before the judgment, the activists had submitted to the Supreme Court 200 affidavits about all types of harassment, including torture, blackmails, beating and rapes.
Kavi said about 5% of sexually active male population is homosexual, though the Supreme Court has said it was a “miniscule minority”. “Even if it was only 10 people, they still have every right to the constitutional protection,” he added.
Activists claim law must allow all adults to do whatever they wish unless they harm someone. “Civil society is now on our side. People now realize everybody can be deprived of their liberties and are likely to support us,” Kavi said.