Sharmila Banerjee
New Delhi, July 1
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_861057,000600010001.htm
While Girlfriend has created rage on the silver screen, the real life homosexuals in India are little pleased. They feel victimised, neglected and marginalised.
Following reports of rising lesbian deaths in Kerala, activists based in the Capital on Thursday took to the streets to raise their voice against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that prohibits same-sex relationships or behaviour.
Gender and human right activists under the umbrella of the Delhi based -- Voices Against 377 -- demonstrated in the heart of the city against the 'archaic limitations' of Section 377.
"At a time when even a country like China has removed the criminal-tag from homosexuality, India continues to adhere to the Victorian prohibitions. We demand a reading down of Article 377 so that discriminations of all kinds should end and instead form a strong law against child abuse," said Jaya Sharma of
Nirantar and spokesperson for Voices.
The group insists that the Section 377 has "strengthened the hands of the police to harass gay men and forces lesbian women into marriage and also criminalises various forms of sexual activities".
The Section states that "whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine".
"Last year when a case was raised in the Delhi High Court asking for the removal of the criminal-tag from consensual sexual acts between adults, the NDA government had argued that the law could not be removed since it is used to convict those who sexually abuse children. They also said that the Indian culture does not accept homosexuality. We hope that the United Progressive Alliance would show a better understanding of the issue, representatives of Voices said.
"We have been persisting for
change because we have learnt through our research that the extent of torture such women face is not just in the urban areas but also in rural areas. So much so that some of them seem to be on the verge of committing suicide," a Voices representative said.
"In the course of running a help line for women attracted to women we have seen that the mere existence of section 377 and the resulting fear created, prevents many women from accessing counselling and support services catering to their specific issues and needs" Maya Shanker of Sangini said.
"The young minds are ready for a change. We have been doing some work in the area and the response is positive. It is high time that the stigma from homosexuality was removed in India," said Ponni, a post-graduate student of JNU, involved with Nigah.
Voices is constituted of Amnesty International India, Anjuman, Breakthrough, CREA, Haq, Jagori, Higah Media Collective, Nirantar, Partners for Law in Development, Prism, Saheli, Sama and Tarshi.
A hearing on the case filed by Naz foundation is pending at the Delhi High Court for July 7. A draft of the memorandum was presented to the Minister for Law and Justice at the end of the demonstration.
Yahoo! India Careers: Over 50,000 jobs
online.
Group Site:
http://www.gaybombay.info
==========================
NEW CLASSIFIEDS SECTION
SEEKING FRIENDS? VISIT
www.gaybombay.info
click on classified section and type your message in the post section once the link opens
What's hot? What's not? Where are the LGBT parties being held and when? Click here!!
http://calendar.yahoo.com/YYY,04497/srt,0/gaybombaygroup/?v=42&POS=
| Yahoo! Groups Sponsor | |
|
|
Yahoo! Groups Links
- To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gay_bombay/
- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
