The right to pride: LGBTQ heroes who helped decriminalize Section 377

6 September 2018, will be remembered as a historical day in India. On this day, Supreme Court of India decriminalised Section 377, a 157 year old colonial-era law that stated sexual acts between same sex as a punishable offense.

It liberated many people to live their lives freely who were once forced to hide their identities and live in constant fear of getting caught and facing charges.

"History owes an apology to the members of this community and their families, for the delay in providing redressal for the ignominy and ostracism that they have suffered through the centuries. The members of this community were compelled to live a life full of fear of reprisal and persecution,"- said Justice Indu Malhotra in her 50 page verdict.

(BBC)

It was a long struggle for freedom.

It first came into light in 1991 when AIDS Bhedbhav Virodhi Andolan (ABVA) released a 70 page long report describing the experiences of gay people in India. The violence, extortion, blackmail and torture that they face, specially by the police.

Since then, many people fought for the long due justice. There were so many people involved who helped others and our country to finally open eyes to the issue no one wanted to discuss.

Here are of 5 such heroes-

Menaka Guruswamy & Arundhati Katju

The first in the list is none other than the duo itself who fought in the court for the rights of the LGBTQ community. In april 2016 Menaka Guruswamy & Arundhati Katju filed a petition on the behalf of other practitioners led by Navtej Singh Johar.

Navtej Singh Johar

(Pinterest)

Navtej Singh Johar is a Bharatanatyam choreographer and LGBTQ activist. He is also the winner of Sangeet Natak Akademi.

In 2016 he and his partner Sunil Mehra moved to the court against Section 377 and one of the main leaders of the other LGBTQ petitoners.

Sunil Mehra

(A photo of Navtej and Sunil in 1998)

Sunil Mehra is a former journalist and media editor of Maxim magazine. He and Navtej Singh Johar have been together as a couple for more than 25 years. They first got to know each other when Mehra was interviewing Navtej over a phone call.

He was the first well known person to come forward as gay in India.

“Through it all, it has been an effort to hold one’s head high, walk lonely but proud and repeat ad nauseam to oneself: I’m a good man. I love my family. I take care of animals. I do not lie. I do not cheat. I believe in God. I earn my living. I pay my taxes. And it’s my business who I sleep with.” - wrote Sunil Mehra for the BBC website.

Ritu Dalmia

(Mint Lounge)

Ritu Dalmia is an acclaimed celebrity chef and runs café Diva in Delhi. She is also a proud owner of various books and culinary shows. She was one of the petitioners along with Johar and Mehra who decided to fight for their right to freedom.

Ritu says in an interview, “I am a chef first, my sexuality should be irrelevant.”

Aman Nath

(The Economic Times)

Aman Nath is a prime supporter and director of the Neemrana chain of hotels with Francis Wacziarg. He is a student of history. He is a poet, graphic designer and wrote for many advertisement campaigns.

He and Francis were together for 23 years, before Francis’s death in 2014. Now he lives with his adopted daughter.

India has come a long way but the battle is still half won. Gay marriages are still not legalised in India, which is a different fight altogether.

Complete freedom is yet to be achieved.

But we should also not forget to celebrate small victories in the meantime!