A Indian survey shows there has been greater societal acceptance and decrease in police harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community after the Delhi High Court’s landmark verdict of banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
The study by Haryana-based Jindal Global Law School, the first of its kind after the High Court’s verdict, has found that the July 2009 judgement on decriminalisation of gay sex led to “increased self- confidence” of LGBT members and there has been a positive impact of the verdict.
Gay sex was earlier an offence under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code punishable up to life imprisonment but the High Court decriminalised the act among consenting adults done in private.
The study was conducted for over a period of six months from February to October 2011 comprising face to face interviews with 32 members of the LGBT community.
The research shows clearly that decriminalization of section 377 has led to increased self-confidence and self-acceptance amongst the respondents. Some respondents also reported that they could now argue with the police since they know there is no section 377 in the law books any more.
Source: Global Alliance for LGBT Education (GALE)