Landmark verdict calls for spontaneous celebrations

  • | Friday | 7th September, 2018

This new beginning is not only for the LGBTQ community but for the entire country as a whole. She, along with a group of transgenders, celebrated the verdict at lower PMG.While the verdict has brought happiness to the LGBTQ community, it also brings apprehensions for some. But we hope the community will not take advantage of the new-found freedom,” said Ankit Mohapatra, a government employee.Sandip.Bal@timesgroup.com(Photos: Subhranshu Mohapatra) “While the verdict gives us equality, it’s to be seen whether they actually treat us equally or not. But as soon as India gained freedom again at midday yesterday, people from the LGBTQ community were seen rallying around town with colours, cutting cakes and expressing unbridled joy.

Some waited with bated breath, some participated in parades. Some took part in raging debates across the nation. The rain and storm they braved all the while has resulted in a beautiful rainbow — a perfect picture of hope. The Supreme Court’s repealing of Section 377 , which criminalised same-sex relationships, has been a harbinger of change. This new beginning is not only for the LGBTQ community but for the entire country as a whole. Aishwarya Ritupurna Pradhan, a transgender administrative official of the state government is happy beyond words. “I knew it was going to be out today, but got to know from you that the apex court has decriminalised same-sex relationships. Now, at least people like me can walk on the roads with their heads held high. I can also think of marrying my boyfriend,” said the OFS officer, who had to undergo a lot of discrimination and harassment from her family, friends and society for coming out of the closet.There were several such ecstatic voices all over the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack . They had stifled their desires until now. But as soon as India gained freedom again at midday yesterday, people from the LGBTQ community were seen rallying around town with colours, cutting cakes and expressing unbridled joy. They held a pride parade on Saturday in the city, where around 200 youngsters had taken part and walked a two-kilometre stretch in colourful attires and sported painted faces. “Our satrangi pyaar has won. The voice of the sexual minority has been heard and the apex court has given us the rights we have been demanding. This is the victory of humanity. No human should be discriminated against for such reasons,” said Meera Parida, a transgender, who has been working for the upliftment of her community people and was a forerunner in organising the Bhubaneswar Pride Parade.The verdict has given them the freedom that they badly missed in a free and democratic country like India. “When you are treated as a criminal for no offence, when your family discriminates against you, when you are verbally, physically and mentally abused by all, it’s a painful life. And we have been living that each day. It seemed, as per the law, we did not exist. Now onwards, we will exist. It’s like an Independence Day celebration for us,” said Meghna Sahu, the first transgender cab driver of the country. She, along with a group of transgenders, celebrated the verdict at lower PMG.While the verdict has brought happiness to the LGBTQ community, it also brings apprehensions for some. “While the verdict gives us equality, it’s to be seen whether they actually treat us equally or not. Changing the mindset will take time and for protecting our human rights and safeguarding us from further abuse, another set of laws needs to be amended,” said Shagoon Sabyasachi Satpathy, an LGBTQ member and the first Odia to participate in the reality show, Bigg Boss Some fear that a fake sense of morality among the people will create problems for the LGBTQs. “Like other minority sections, we need to get the protection of special laws. There should be a law for us to safeguard our human rights,” said Ayesha Behera, a transgender.For residents outside the community, this verdict is a ray of hope for their friends. “This is a good decision by the apex court. Due to rampant discrimination, they are forced into prostitution and begging. Now, they will not be harassed anymore. Hope things will change for them in the coming days,” said Saurashish Nayak, a banker. Yet, others have a word of caution amid celebrations. “It’s good that the archaic law is repealed. But we hope the community will not take advantage of the new-found freedom,” said Ankit Mohapatra, a government employee.Sandip.Bal@timesgroup.com(Photos: Subhranshu Mohapatra)

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