‘Queerious: March for ‘Bangalore Pride’, 2009
The Delhi High Court, in a historic judgment has repealed Section 377 of the Indian Penal code, thereby decriminalizing homosexuality. The Bangalore Pride 2009 march on Sunday took to the streets in a march in hope of this very judgment.
The draconian Article 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that criminalizes any penetrative sex that does not lead to reproduction, thereby criminalizing sexual expression. But now, people belonging to sexual minorities, will be able to marry. However, non-consensual and non-vaginal sex included in the section will still hold good as criminal acts. This section has been used as an arbitrary and discriminatory weapon in the hands of police and goondas to harass, abuse, extort and torture sexuality minorities routinely. The sexual minorities have borne the the brunt of this and have experienced social anathema, stigma, discrimination, marginalization and prejudice.
Christened ‘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. This started with a cricket match on June 21st and culminated with the Pride march on June 28th. The colours were undoubtedly loud as was the appeal. This included masks, not as to hide their identity but just to add that extra chutzpah to the festivities.
“Because we had the march last year, lot of people were more aware of the issue. I think the media played a very big role in that. People began asking us questions like who are these people; we did not even know they exist. So some amount of the ignorance faded and the fact that they are actually voicing their concerns actually took it discussions by both the middle class as well as the upper middle class. For the sexual minorities themselves it was a very affirming process. They are definitely much more open now; they are celebrating and living rather than just existing. Last year most of them were behind masks but this year that equation has changed. Also, socially people have understood that this is a movement now and not certain individuals shouting for plea.” said Shuba, at the Bangalore Pride March, before the verdict was out on homosexuality. She has been working on women and transgender issues in the city for some time now.
The government seems to be sitting up and taking notice as it considers to repeal Article 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Negative connotations do get attached to the transgender class and with a law “draconian” law like section 377 in place and it only goes to makes the criminal undertone towards them all the more vulnerable.
“One thing in terms of cure we have had is that even the law is being changed and even here there are people who have made progressive gestures to us. It is yet to take a shape and if Section 377 goes then those bases can be explored more and this issue can be far more open. The whole idea that this is something secretive and bad will reduce. At least people will see it along with other important issues. It would not be the end of the struggle for us. It is not that if the Section 377 goes tomorrow we are going to stop at that. There are two things. One is that this will take away the negativity of being criminalized. The positive thing would be things like right to marry, right to have a family etc. All that is not there yet. So the repeal of Section 377 would be just one step. And also when they would be working with people of a different class there would be an issue of them having to assert themselves into that class in getting other entitlements such as housing cards, ration card, and employment. These factors are very important for people of this class. And often they are totally invisible both because of their class and sexuality.” adds Shuba.
Whether queer or no, plenty turned up at the parade to voice their appeal in unison marching the streets of Bangalore from Basavangudi to Town Hall at their colourful and voluble best. What more, theatre veteran Arundhati Nag was also present at the event voicing her support. Laws in over three dozen countries, from India to Uganda and from Nigeria to Papua New Guinea, derive from a single law on homosexual conduct that British colonial rulers imposed on India in 1860.
Homosexuality being legalized in India will now ring in a new era of acceptance in our society.
The draconian Article 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that criminalizes any penetrative sex that does not lead to reproduction, thereby criminalizing sexual expression. But now, people belonging to sexual minorities, will be able to marry. However, non-consensual and non-vaginal sex included in the section will still hold good as criminal acts. This section has been used as an arbitrary and discriminatory weapon in the hands of police and goondas to harass, abuse, extort and torture sexuality minorities routinely. The sexual minorities have borne the the brunt of this and have experienced social anathema, stigma, discrimination, marginalization and prejudice.
Christened ‘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. This started with a cricket match on June 21st and culminated with the Pride march on June 28th. The colours were undoubtedly loud as was the appeal. This included masks, not as to hide their identity but just to add that extra chutzpah to the festivities.
“Because we had the march last year, lot of people were more aware of the issue. I think the media played a very big role in that. People began asking us questions like who are these people; we did not even know they exist. So some amount of the ignorance faded and the fact that they are actually voicing their concerns actually took it discussions by both the middle class as well as the upper middle class. For the sexual minorities themselves it was a very affirming process. They are definitely much more open now; they are celebrating and living rather than just existing. Last year most of them were behind masks but this year that equation has changed. Also, socially people have understood that this is a movement now and not certain individuals shouting for plea.” said Shuba, at the Bangalore Pride March, before the verdict was out on homosexuality. She has been working on women and transgender issues in the city for some time now.
The government seems to be sitting up and taking notice as it considers to repeal Article 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Negative connotations do get attached to the transgender class and with a law “draconian” law like section 377 in place and it only goes to makes the criminal undertone towards them all the more vulnerable.
“One thing in terms of cure we have had is that even the law is being changed and even here there are people who have made progressive gestures to us. It is yet to take a shape and if Section 377 goes then those bases can be explored more and this issue can be far more open. The whole idea that this is something secretive and bad will reduce. At least people will see it along with other important issues. It would not be the end of the struggle for us. It is not that if the Section 377 goes tomorrow we are going to stop at that. There are two things. One is that this will take away the negativity of being criminalized. The positive thing would be things like right to marry, right to have a family etc. All that is not there yet. So the repeal of Section 377 would be just one step. And also when they would be working with people of a different class there would be an issue of them having to assert themselves into that class in getting other entitlements such as housing cards, ration card, and employment. These factors are very important for people of this class. And often they are totally invisible both because of their class and sexuality.” adds Shuba.
Whether queer or no, plenty turned up at the parade to voice their appeal in unison marching the streets of Bangalore from Basavangudi to Town Hall at their colourful and voluble best. What more, theatre veteran Arundhati Nag was also present at the event voicing her support. Laws in over three dozen countries, from India to Uganda and from Nigeria to Papua New Guinea, derive from a single law on homosexual conduct that British colonial rulers imposed on India in 1860.
Homosexuality being legalized in India will now ring in a new era of acceptance in our society.
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