AASHA flays SC verdict on homosexuality
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 22, 2013:
The Supreme Court verdict on IPC 377 terming homosexuality as a criminal offence has drawn stiff opposition from Awaken Artisan Shelter Association (AASHA), a community based organization here saying that the pronouncement of the apex court is against the fundamental rights of transgender community.
Addressing a press meet in this regard at its office at Sagolband Salam Leikai, G Shyam Sharma, secretary of AASHA said a transgender cannot be seen as a person committing crime and added that even security personnel have started teasing the transgenders following the pronouncement of the verdict which is unfortunate.
He pointed out that more than half of the fourth percent out of the total population in the State is constituted by transgender community, majority of whom have received awareness on HIV/AIDS .
He also asserted that transgender community does not pose threat to the society in any way.
He went on to say that transgenders have absolute right to live freely in his own will in the society and that the pronouncement of the Supreme Court comes as a surprise to them.