To A Homophobe

Recently, I walked out on a homophobic friend of mine in disgust...disgust, not at his homophobia, but at myself for having ever befriended a person as narrow-minded as him. He swore that India would never recognize gay "perverts"..and ironically, just two days later, the honourable High Court decriminalised consensual homosexuality between adults. He may now argue that this will still not bring social acceptance...but argued the same for the legal aspect, and was proved wrong...and will be, in the forward march of history.

I urge all homophobic people, especially Indians to go through the 105 page High Court judgement, reading down section 377 of the IPC to exclude consensual homosexuality between adults. It is an example of how the largest democracy in the world is based on inclusiveness over exclusion.

Parts of the judgement read,

129. The notion of equality in the Indian Constitution flows from the ‘Objective Resolution’ moved by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on December 13, 1946. Nehru, in his speech, moving this Resolution wished that the House should consider the Resolution not in a spirit of narrow legal wording, but rather look at the spirit behind that Resolution. He said, ”Words are magic things often enough, but even the magic of words sometimes cannot convey the magic of the human spirit and of a Nation’s passion…….. (The Resolution) seeks very feebly to tell the world of what we have thought or dreamt of so long, and what we now hope to achieve in the near future.” [Constituent Assembly Debates: Lok SabhaSecretariat, New Delhi: 1999, Vol. I, pages 57-65].

130. If there is one constitutional tenet that can be said to be underlying theme of the Indian Constitution, it is that of 'inclusiveness'. This Court believes that Indian Constitution reflects this value deeply ingrained in Indian society, nurtured over several generations. The inclusiveness that Indian society traditionally displayed, literally in every aspect of life, is manifest in recognising a role in society for everyone. Those perceived by the majority as “deviants' or 'different' are not on that score excluded or ostracised.

131. Where society can display inclusiveness and understanding, such persons can be assured of a life of dignity and nondiscrimination. This was the 'spirit behind the Resolution' of which Nehru spoke so passionately. In our view, Indian Constitutional law does not permit the statutory criminal law to be held captive by the popular misconceptions of who the LGBTs are. It cannot be forgotten that discrimination is antithesis of equality and that it is the recognition of equality which will foster the dignity of every individual. "

And so it is that I must tell him, and all like him...that you may go to any extent, describing homosexuality as a virus, as a perversion, as an unnatural trend...but as King said, the arch of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. And justice is coming..has come. You may disagree with the LGBTs..but you have no right to impose your way of life on them. The Indian culture as well as constitution has been about tolerance, and respect for diversity. Your continuous refusal to look at science, logic, as well as the love and emotions that go into making homosexual relationships will not over rule the underlying theme of our nation...