On 10th November, 2014, Midnight Cigarette on Twitter said: “Because we don’t need the
state’s consent to fuck each other senseless".
Indeed, on 30th November 2014, celebration,
colour, laughter, happiness filled the air as we walked the narrow lanes,
shaded and less populated on a Sunday afternoon, to make our presence felt and
placed across our demand, our joy and happiness to be Queer. As usual, the colourful clothing and laughter
were lapped up greedily by TV Channels and much noise was created to take our
Cause ahead.
Key to the issue of Queer Rights in India is Section 377 IPC which has been revoked by the Indian Legal System. This makes us vulnerable to all forms of abuse all over again. It is not a question of how the state machinery aid to repress us and our desires only; it is not even a question of whom we share our bodies with, and how and with whom we engage in the act of sex with; indeed, it is also how marital rape and abusive anal sex continues to thrive within heterosexual marriages, that the larger implications of not having the Law on our side is actually benefiting the abusers in a really big way, while depriving the queer community their right to contractual marriages/partnerships, which are within the Law and can be dealt with likewise. It is not about recognition only, it is about social status, partnerships and engagement and exchange of love and sex between mutually agreeable adults, with consent.
Key to the issue of Queer Rights in India is Section 377 IPC which has been revoked by the Indian Legal System. This makes us vulnerable to all forms of abuse all over again. It is not a question of how the state machinery aid to repress us and our desires only; it is not even a question of whom we share our bodies with, and how and with whom we engage in the act of sex with; indeed, it is also how marital rape and abusive anal sex continues to thrive within heterosexual marriages, that the larger implications of not having the Law on our side is actually benefiting the abusers in a really big way, while depriving the queer community their right to contractual marriages/partnerships, which are within the Law and can be dealt with likewise. It is not about recognition only, it is about social status, partnerships and engagement and exchange of love and sex between mutually agreeable adults, with consent.
The Queer Pride March is a cry for recognition, rather than denial of a fact that has existed since ages in India. Supported by Human Rights Organization from across the world, the Indian scene continues to be less than BEST Practices world over. On an individual level across the developed countries in the world, while there may be issues around acceptance, still trickling down from hard cast sections of society, who resist change, in most countries this bonding is celebrated, protected and sanctify by Law. Law, MUST be on our side; recognition will follow.
And this is to be had Here and Now!
If sex and whom we are attracted to and want to share our
bodies with is our individual right, which the state has no right to interfere in,
then, Midnight Cigarette on Twitter
is right!
Three cheers to
#DelhiQueerPride! Live on!
Now gorge on the Photos!
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