Yesterday evening, I was checking out my e-mail on my phone whilst my band was taking a break from our meeting. I was surprised to see the e-mail from a senior member of GB claiming the above title. I was startled to understand that it was from our Minister of Health Ambani Ramadoss at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico. I was not sure about his stature as a minister and about the impact that it would have.
Today's Times of India has a frontpage story about this. It even has a Times View where the paper confirms ts stand to be supportive of legalization of something which is a basic right for over 10% of population. Indian express has this story and have a poll on their website which is slightly in favor of who say no. Maybe some of you can change that by voting here. DNA has this article and Mumbai mirrors article is not accesible via the web.
Suddenly it seems that another of our dreams is going to come true; something which shouldn't have been a dream, something which is our right, something which has been denied to us for a insanely long time. I feel confident and buoyant. But this isn't all that we require. What about some social empathy? Are these promising signs on the legal side indicators a massive change in the social horizon as well?
9 comments:
Yep, I'm sure the Home Ministry doesn't really have a stand, and just blabbered. The law is as good as gone. It was as good as gone several years ago, really, but got delayed because there have been no convictions under it (which was why the HC had dismissed it earlier)
Even though every ministry talks like this, nothing gonna happen soon. Here in nepal, our Supreme Court has accepted homosexuality as natural and prohibited any form of discrimination. but still it's goin on. The Court has even asked government to study foreign country's stand on same sex marriage, and come up with plan for marriage or civil partnership or any other ideas. But i think government has become deaf.
Not only government, public attitude is also not positive. I think we need to make people aware first,. Don't know when that gonna happen though
only one thing...u take so much of effort for giving links to us....thnx man u are an activist...keep it up :)
ps: did u guys read all those comments about 'india's heritage and slap' etc? i think *they* are more interesting stuff to read :)
@unsungpsalm: I'm really hoping for a social change because of all the coverage because of this. It was last month's pride parades. Then comes this. Now, it will be on air until Mumbai's big parade. Maybe, just maybe, things will start to change.
@bloggingknight: It sure would take time. Don't lose hope.
@Fly: What? About heritage and slap?
arrey baba comments in response to the TOI article link u gave...they are hilarious. a guy says ramadaoss' statement is a slap to indian heritage...
Haha... I'll check it out! ;)
The people who run Indian Express are mostly ardent supporters of BJP ideals and they will support only the stands taken in favor of the religion and the right wing party ! But still I went to the link and voted YES.
I personally think even if India makes homosexuality a legal stuff, it will take decades or at least one generation to accept homosexuality in the open society. But again, I think it is all about 'rights' and 'equality'. Hence I support any little iota of moving forward.
As long as this law prevails it will be seen as an official sin. If it is repealed then it will still be seen as a sin at least by the social norms for some period, especially in India where the omni-present religious society rules the whole country including in its so-called plural and secular democracy.
I agree with you about the time period and social change that is required.
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