'SC decree on homosexuality unacceptable'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 22, 2013:
Raising objection against the recent Supreme Court decree that homosexuality is a criminal offence, Awaken Artisan Shelter Association (AASHA), a gay rights organisation, said it will organise protest rallies and poster campaigns if the ruling is not rescinded.
Addressing media persons at its Sagolband Salam Leikai office today, AASHA general secretary G Shyam Sharma said the Supreme Court decreeing that homosexuality is a criminal offence and punishable under IPC 377 is not acceptable as it amounts to transgressing rights of the gay people and trans-genders.
Informing that representatives of Manipur's trans-gender community are in New Delhi to join their counterparts from other States in staging protest demonstration scheduled today, he said in addition to the protest rally a national level consultation meeting would also be held on the ruling of the apex court.
In case the Supreme Court passed a verdict to inspire the gay people mingle in the society and strive for socio-economic prosperity the gay community would have remained forever indebted to the Court but the recent decree of criminalising gay people's sexual behaviour is akin to exposing the community as vulnerable targets by anti-social elements, observed the gay rights activist.
According to one L Radharani possibility of the Supreme Court ruling compelling the gay community to hideously sustain their sexual activity and become a breeding ground for serious diseases cannot be ruled out.
If the gay people are allowed to come out in the open healthcare and safety campaigns would be more effective, she mooted.