LGBT
Organisations gather
to demonstrate their opposition to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code
on August 16 2005, 6pm to 9pm.
All are welcome
On August 16, a special event is taking place at Flora Fountain, Mumbai. As organizations concerned about the human rights, health, and freedom of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, we are gathering to demonstrate our opposition to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, a law that continues to impinge upon our lives in direct and indirect ways. Attached is a note that explains exactly why we seek an amendment to this law.
The gathering is linked to a nationwide signature campaign with the goal of collecting a million voices against Section 377 IPC. In asking for an amendment to this law, we state that our struggle against control of sexuality is a matter of social justice and linked to our struggle for women's rights, our fight against fundamentalism, and our vision of a just world, where people have the freedom to be different and yet be treated as equals.
Any law that breeds intolerance and ignorance has no place in a society that’s proud of its diversity and democratic ideals. As long as the law supports the idea that homosexual people are criminals, it will ensure the continuation of harassment, blackmail, unethical medical interventions, stigma and discrimination, in addition to impeding HIV/AIDS prevention.
The Supreme
Court is about to take an important decision related to a second Public Interest
Litigation that was filed by Naz Foundation (India) Trust in 2001.
Your show of support by attending this event would be most appreciated.
Click here if you wish to register your protest online
Here's the list of people who already have
Why We Object to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code
Section
377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) states under Unnatural Offences: Whoever
voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man,
woman or animal, shall be punished with [imprisonment for life], or with
imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and
shall also be liable to a fine.
1. Section 377 implies that people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender are criminals, just for being who they are. It makes sexual acts that do not lead to procreation illegal. This is expressly unjust: what it considered by S.377 as “against the order of nature” is simply how a minority of the population expresses love and sexuality.
2. Section 377 does not distinguish between sex between two willing, adult partners and sexual molestation/rape. It seeks to punish both equally. We ask that consensual, adult sexual relations be removed from the scope of S.377 by “reading down” the law so that it only applies to sexual abuse.
3. Section 377 breeds a culture of injustice, leading to extortion and blackmail of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. While heterosexual couples also engage in non-procreative sex, they are never harassed for doing so.
4. Section 377 contributes to the intense pressure gay men and women face while being forced by their families to get married. In trying to fulfill societal expectations, the lives of both homosexual people and their spouses are ruined.
5. Section 377 reinforces societal prejudice against homosexual people that leads to depression and that has driven people to suicide.
6. Section 377 hinders essential communication about HIV/AIDS and contributes to an environment where stigma and ignorance flourishes. When a large section of society is not given appropriate safer sex information and services, they are denied the right to life and health.
7. Section 377 was brought into India by the British in 1860, and they discarded this law in their own country in 1967. Yet it still remains a law here. How can Indian citizens be judged on 19th century biblical ideology, when our history shows remarkable tolerance towards sexual diversity?
8.
Section 377 has no place in a society that cherishes democracy and equality. A
society’s attitude towards its own diversity is a key indicator of its
commitment to these ideals.
Meet
at Flora Fountain, Mumbai
16
August 2005, 6 pm to 9 pm
Aanchal Trust : 2352-2787
Gay Bombay : friend@gaybombay.org
Humsafar Trust : 2667-3800
Humjinsi
: 2343-5700
LABIA: labia_india@yahoo.com
Lawyers
Collective HIV/AIDS Unit : Ph: 2287
1101/2
The
Safe Sailors Club: 2665-0547