No more darkness or pain or shame

For the first time, Debashis Sen didn't feel fear outstrip his love. For the first time, he didn't have to look out for the patrolling cops. Nor think twice about holding his lover's hand.
"I won't have to keep answering questions anymore. The police harassment will stop. At my work place, too, I will be able to articulate my sexual preference as the law is now on my side," Sen, a central government employee, asserted, the smile never leaving his face.
You would've had to strain to hear Sen's voice, for hundreds of men and women were partying all around him singing, dancing, cheering, hugging and celebrating the fall of the Raj-era Article 377 that, among other sexual practices, branded homosexuality a crime.
Love is free' they shouted at the impromptu gathering outside the Academy of Fine Arts. As the crowd swelled, the rendezvous of the city's art fraternity slowly but steadily transformed into the epicentre of the celebrations of a nine-year long struggle. Amongst shrieks, chanting and renditions of Tagore's songs, community members, activists and the ordinary masses came together in an impromptu, but emotional, carnival.
Part of the crowd realigned themselves in a rough circle to pose for the cameras. A few held up individual letters for the shutterbugs; together it read Thank you.' "This is a historic moment and an affirmation of the fact that the law can still be trusted to be fair. As a community, we only took the legal route and it has turned out to be the right decision. This is the celebration of a victory after a long struggle," an activist and community member Malobika said.
Cutting across class and sexual orientations, the gay gathering exuded a sense of relief with the hope that legal prosecution that has historically dogged the community will finally be put to rest.
In spite of the unguarded and vocal celebrations, onlookers were hardly perturbed. Rather, support for the reading down of the law was unmistakable.
It's not that homosexuality didn't exist in the past, it was just kept hidden. I don't see why these people can't enjoy their lives freely, after all they aren't disturbing the society. Instead, the government should think about controlling terrorists," marine engineer K Basu said.
Though the government is yet to confirm the amendments that will be made to Section 377, the uncertainty did little to dampen the spirit of those gathered, and rightfully so, activist Anchita Ghatak felt.
"The legal recognition is of significant importance, but the stand of conservative elements is rather unnerving. That said, these celebrations will revitalise the movement and give it a much-needed impetus," Ghatak said.
One small step by the law, one giant leap for the queer-kind.