Happy and Gay in India? Sec 377 could soon be abolished

After the US Supreme Court passed a landmark decision declaring gay marriages legal, the world supported the move and also showed solidarity on social networking sites.

The spotlight also came on India where ‘unnatural sex’ and gay marriages are still a crime.

However, Union Law Minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday hinted that India could move towards abolishing Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises 'unnatural sex'.

He also hailed US’ decision, adding the mood was in favour of it but decision would be taken only after widespread consultations.

Meanwhile, Gowda thinks that a recent legislation on the rights of transgenders could provide a model for the Indian gay community.

He told Economic Times that after several years of delay, a private member's Bill on the rights of transgenders, moved in the Rajya Sabha by Tiruchi Siva of DMK, had received overwhelming response.

“That Bill has been passed by the Rajya Sabha (in April) and everyone supported it. If that Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha and becomes an Act, Section 377 will become irrelevant," Gowda told ET.

Tiruchi Siva told the financial daily that he had limited his Bill to just the educational, economic, employment and health rights of transgenders.

“The Bill does not talk about Section 377 or anything other than the rights of transgenders. Still, I am always optimistic that rights of others will also get due importance,” he told ET.

(Image: Reuters)