<p>Aravind Narain of Alternate Law Forum, (ALF) one of the lawyers who fought for the order said, "It is a historic day. It has been 60 years since India got independence but it's only now that transgender and gays, in a true sense, have become full citizens of India. The order has restored their sense of dignity.” <br /><br />Many others have also been celebrating. "We gave an off to everyone at office and were celebrating the whole afternoon. It is a joyous occasion for all of us.<br /><br />Now the police violence can be prevented. Hopefully, it will also help stop discrimination against homosexuals at workplace. Also, it will make it difficult for employers to fire homosexuals," said Revathi, Director of Sangama, a helpline for sexual minority.<br /><br />According to Nitin, a member of a support group called Good As You (GAY), the order didn't come as a surprise. "However, what is refreshing is that the High Court has made a lot of additional progressive moves apart from the initial petition. Personally, what made me happy was that the statement made by the judges during the conclusive part stating that the Indian society always has been inclusive of sexual minority and transgender." Nitin celebrated the news by attending the gay meeting.<br /><br />Parties were also held in key meeting points of the homosexual community, including a prominent restaurant on St Mark’s road. The participants echoed what Nitin had to say. <br /><br />According to Nitin, the High Court verdict was a victory of fundamental rights of any individual in the society and guarantees the constitutional rights to choice.<br /><br />Queer habba<br /><br />Gay activists in the City had recently taken out a march. Dubbed ‘Karnataka Queer Habba’, the Bangalore Pride march was held with full gusto this year around too and seemed to be bigger and better with celebrations being spread out as a week long affair. The event had started off with a cricket match on June 21 and culminated with the Pride march on June 28. The participants had come out in all colours, complete with masks to add that extra fervour to the festivities.<br /><br />Meanwhile, health experts in the City felt decriminalising homosexuality will help a great deal in AIDS control measures. The gay community had always been reluctant to come out due to the prevalent social mores, and since they are also a high-risk group, the new rule is expected to help health workers to reach out to them. <br /><br />High risk group<br /><br />It is estimated that the country has about 2.5 million people living with HIV, about 2.35 million men having sexual relationship with other men in the country. Gays are considered to be among the high-risk group vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS in India. Apart from them, the other high-risk groups are sex workers, truck drivers and injecting drug users (IDUs).</p>
<p>Aravind Narain of Alternate Law Forum, (ALF) one of the lawyers who fought for the order said, "It is a historic day. It has been 60 years since India got independence but it's only now that transgender and gays, in a true sense, have become full citizens of India. The order has restored their sense of dignity.” <br /><br />Many others have also been celebrating. "We gave an off to everyone at office and were celebrating the whole afternoon. It is a joyous occasion for all of us.<br /><br />Now the police violence can be prevented. Hopefully, it will also help stop discrimination against homosexuals at workplace. Also, it will make it difficult for employers to fire homosexuals," said Revathi, Director of Sangama, a helpline for sexual minority.<br /><br />According to Nitin, a member of a support group called Good As You (GAY), the order didn't come as a surprise. "However, what is refreshing is that the High Court has made a lot of additional progressive moves apart from the initial petition. Personally, what made me happy was that the statement made by the judges during the conclusive part stating that the Indian society always has been inclusive of sexual minority and transgender." Nitin celebrated the news by attending the gay meeting.<br /><br />Parties were also held in key meeting points of the homosexual community, including a prominent restaurant on St Mark’s road. The participants echoed what Nitin had to say. <br /><br />According to Nitin, the High Court verdict was a victory of fundamental rights of any individual in the society and guarantees the constitutional rights to choice.<br /><br />Queer habba<br /><br />Gay activists in the City had recently taken out a march. Dubbed ‘Karnataka Queer Habba’, the Bangalore Pride march was held with full gusto this year around too and seemed to be bigger and better with celebrations being spread out as a week long affair. The event had started off with a cricket match on June 21 and culminated with the Pride march on June 28. The participants had come out in all colours, complete with masks to add that extra fervour to the festivities.<br /><br />Meanwhile, health experts in the City felt decriminalising homosexuality will help a great deal in AIDS control measures. The gay community had always been reluctant to come out due to the prevalent social mores, and since they are also a high-risk group, the new rule is expected to help health workers to reach out to them. <br /><br />High risk group<br /><br />It is estimated that the country has about 2.5 million people living with HIV, about 2.35 million men having sexual relationship with other men in the country. Gays are considered to be among the high-risk group vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS in India. Apart from them, the other high-risk groups are sex workers, truck drivers and injecting drug users (IDUs).</p>
