It's a betrayal, say sexual minorities

BANGALORE: The LGBT community in Bangalore is astir over the Supreme Court order on Section 377. Hundreds of community members as well their supporters gathered in front of the Town Hall on Wednesday evening and described the verdict as "snatching away of their fundamental rights".
"We're not in contempt of court because we believe the Constitution of this country is more superior and it provides us with the right to life, dignity and equality.The spirit of the Constitution is inclusivity but the Supreme Court's actions suggest otherwise. We'll continue our struggle," said a protester who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Activists said they still have an option to file a curative petition and the options are being evaluated. Community members fear they'll pushed to being outcasts if their natural instincts are criminalized. Even as other countries are recognizing sexual minorities, India is going backwards, they said.
"This decision is shocking as we were pinning our hopes on the judiciary. Now that the onus to change the law has been placed on the legislature, which depends on the votes of the majority, we're concerned. Which government would want to upset the majority that brings them to power? The court should have acted in spirit of the Constitution," said Manohar Elavarthi, a sexual minority rights activist.
But for student Goutham Gayam, the fear is about how people may start having wrong notions about homosexuals with the law calling them 'criminals'. "It took a lot of courage to come out of the closet. My family and my friends are still getting used to what I am. But when the system -- which is supposed to protect us -- calls us criminals, those close to me and I are afraid of what may follow," Goutham said.
"It'll be a shame on the country if people don't come out in protest against this injustice," said activist Evangeline Rajkumar. Ranjtha, a transgender and gay rights activist, said upholding of the law leads to social oppression. "Many homosexuals are slowly gathering courage to come out of the closet. But with criminalization of homosexuality, they'd fear oppression from family and the society," she said.