The judgment of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in affirming rights of homosexuals is a great landmark decision; it has come through after a long and painful struggle of the LGBT groups and organizations, and support groups. But this is not the end; this is just the beginning for a greater struggle for full rights, dignity and complete acceptance by the majority, families, and society at large. The struggle will come to an end only when gays do not have feel shy, guilty, defensive, and give endless justifications on their sexuality and sexual orientation to the other side, i.e. Heterosexuals who are in majority, and sitting on the seat of judgment.
Heterosexuals are lucky that way; they do not have to struggle for their sexuality and sexual orientation and their body and mind all the time. When a heterosexual goes to sex workers, it may considered as illegal but it not considered as unnatural because it involves vaginal sex. Sex between homosexuals is so easily brushed aside as unnatural, unethical, and result of some sickness. In such circumstances, homosexuals because of their numerical shortfall, have to fight for their rights and dignity.
The judgment of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi has generated strong reactions for various religious groups, organizations, and political groups. Some are vociferous in their criticism and some are cautious. Some condemn it, and some pass it over, and gays celebrate it. Media have brought many debates to the surface now.
HETEROSEXUALS PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME AND HEAR THE OTHER SIDE
Whether you believe in homosexuality or not, whether you like it or not or whether you find it natural or not, same sex relationship exists and has very explicitly and visually been shown in the sculpture of the much revered temples of India and has been there for ages. Social, religious and political leaders (who are the opinion makers) who represent people frame homosexuality as “sin”, “unnatural” and “immoral”. It is easy, convenient, and safe to follow these leaders, and stick to age old beliefs perpetuated for so long.
And when such collective consciousness reigns and rules the society, there is little scope for new understanding, tolerance and acceptance. And when new leaders emerge, they also follow this mass consciousness as it is easy, convenient and safe. We have heard stories about ministers, writers, intellectuals who are homosexuals. And they are truly loved by the people, their sexual orientation was never an issue, If tomorrow a Prime Minister, or a Chief Minister, a religious leader gives his stamp of approval to homosexual relationship then it will have great impact. However very few are willing to do so.
In this context, the judgment of the Hon’ble High Court is encouraging, and keeps the hope alive that there is hope within preexisting sexual stereotypes. Social approval may be the ultimate success of the LGBT movement, but a legal approval has set some momentum to the movement. The judgment of the Hon’ble high Court has taken a great step; it has at least opened the closed box of Article377 for scrutiny and new thinking of the majority.
1 comment:
I am a teenage, and I understand sexual orientation and the fact that no two people look the same feel the same and like the same person. When I can accept a boy falling in love with a girl and a girl falling in love with a boy, then why should I not accept a boy falling in love with a boy and a girl falling in love with a girl. It is a shame that people create hatred by taking the name of tradition and culture.
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