(Photo credit: CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP/Getty Images)
While discriminatory laws are still in place, many in the LGBT community feel that acceptance is on the rise.
Yesterday, marchers and activists gathered in New Delhi to raise awareness about and call for an end to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in India.
Sexual activity between individuals of the same sex is currently illegal in India, under Section 377 of the Penal Code. Section 377 was overturned in 2009, but reinstated in 2013 after the Supreme Court determined that the decision should be left to Parliament.Gay sex is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Marchers specifically called for a repeal of this law.
Yesterday’s march is the ninth year LGBT folks and allies in India have marched for equal rights. While discriminatory laws are still in place, many in the LGBT community feel that acceptance is on the rise – leading some parade participants to say that yesterday felt different from past marches. Others however fear that India’s right-wing government is reversing rights gains.
Learn more and check out pictures from the march here.
Sources: The Independent, PinkNews