Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 02 2009:
As news of the Delhi High Court legalizing gay sex started spreading, gays, HIV positive persons and Aids activists in Manipur hailed the verdict saying it was historic.
Manipur is one of the six States having high prevalence of HIV/Aids.
According to Manipur State Aids Control Society (Macs), the State has over 30,000 HIV positive persons.
Though there is no official figure of the population of gays in Manipur some NGOs are conducting research works covering the head counts as well HIV/ Aids awareness programs among the gay community.
A gay, James (not real name) while talking to The Sangai Express said, "We welcome the ruling of the Court.
It gives a clear message that we also have the same rights enjoyed by others.
"The law which outlawed homosexuality was enacted by the Britishers and the time has come to change it," he said.
Another gay, while hailing the verdict, said it will enhance the dignity of the whole gay community in the country.
People living with HIV and Aids and the media commentators on the issue too hailed the ruling saying it will make an easier task to check the spread of the virus.
L Deepak Singh, president of Manipur Network for Positive People (MNP +), while welcoming the verdict, said it will definitely give a new impetus to fight the spread of HIV/Aids.
The Court's pronouncement will encourage gays to come out in the open and share their views and opinions on HIV/AIDS, Deepak said.
Echoing this, media commenter on the subject matter, Chitra Ahanthem said the verdict will lessen the pangs , stigma and discrimination attached to gays.
Efforts to extract comments on the verdict from religious leaders drew a blank.