‘Legally & Proudly Coming Out as Gay’: SC Verdict Empowers Many

Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: Reuters)

"I am so gay today," reads a Facebook post, following the Supreme Court's verdict on Section 377 decriminalising consensual gay sex.

When the writer of this post walked home on Thursday, 6 September, his parents hugged him and said "Congratulations son, now it's legal." Elated, relieved for their son was no longer a "criminal" in the eyes of law they also told their son: "Now go broadcast it."

And he did, on Facebook, along with a photograph of his parents sitting on his either sides holding a huge placard that reads: "My Son is Not a Criminal Anymore."

The three people in that photograph are glowing with evident joy, but this joy is shared by thousands of others across the country.

"I am legally and proudly coming out as a gay gender non-conforming human," reads another Facebook post. The comments section on the post is flooded with celebratory and congratulatory messages.

A number of people have come out since Thursday, marking the strength and the impact of this verdict.

A 20-year-old resident of Itanagar told The Indian Express:

I’m from Arunachal Pradesh and here the people don’t even know that we exist. After watching the verdict today, I came out to many of my friends. And they understood. I was depressed for very long — but today, I cannot even define my happiness.

Veteran Indian musician and political activist Kabir Suman told Kolkata24*7 that he was proud of the landmark judgement. He also shared that his first love was a man, and not a woman, and he had even written the song "Debashish" about it in 2013.

I am proud after hearing this landmark judgement. I had written the ‘Debashis’ song in 2013 on my childhood love. I was an MP then. I had fallen in love with my teenage friend by the name Debashis. I used to cuddle him. I used to kiss him. I used to go to the scout camp. Tried to stay near his bed. That happiness is incomparable. After this, many women came into my life. But my experience with Debashis is exceptional.

Empowered by the Supreme Court's decision, 26-year-old Sanjay Deshpande wrote about his struggles and openly and unambigously came out as "a Gay Indian" on a blog published on The Quint.

...But today is a different day. The Supreme Court has made it one, by finally decriminalising homosexuality. For a long time now, I have been waiting, with bated breath, to be able to say this publicly, without having to worry about violating the law, or getting persecuted - I am a proud gay man. So, thank you, Supreme Court, for recognising me today as an equal, law-abiding citizen of the country.

Interestingly, as reported by The Hindu, Smiti, a college student, had bunked college on Thursday morning so that she could be at the Supreme Court for the Section377 verdict. She also said that she was coming out to her parents via media cameras.

(With inputs from The Indian Express, Kolkata24*7 and The Hindu.)