Panic in Nagpur's LGBTQ community

NAGPUR: Despite the setback a day after India observed Human Rights Day, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer (LGBTQ) community seemed determined to face the brunt of the Supreme Court's decision to make homosexuality a criminal offence.
The mood at the Sarathi Trust office at Sitabuldi was sombre. The disappointment on the faces of the members of the NGO, which works for the LGBTQ community and HIV awareness, was palpable as they assembled to discuss the implications of the court decision.
Senior gay activist Anand Chandrani, the president of the trust, was motivating the members to get ready for a fight now and hit the streets if and when required. The activist, who remained glued to television watching the reactions on the verdict from all over the country, was also flooded with panic calls from members across the city. They wanted to know the full meaning and implications of the verdict.
Anand said that the efforts of the activists, who were fighting for the rights of the community, now have been undone by the "shocking decision" by the court. "Now, my bedroom would be raided and identity I would be known as a criminal just because I follow my natural instincts and pursue a right," said Anand.
He wanted to stage a protest rally but the cops did not grant permission citing law and order problems due to the ongoing winter session of the stage legislature. "Where is my safety, security, rights and privacy," asked Anand.
Anand, who had spearheaded campaigns for LGBTQs in city for a decade now, stated that striking down of the Delhi high court's order of decriminalizing the section 377 of Indian penal code (IPC) for unnatural sex would have several undesirable outcomes. "Blackmailing would increase. Families of the communities would face social ostracization and humiliation. A section of the police would now use the verdict to victimize the community members," he said.
Anand also felt the HIV positive numbers too would shoot up following the verdict. "Now, the NGO members who would distribute condoms in the community would face police action for abetting a criminal act," he said.
The trust president was contemplating filing a public interest litigation. "We will make an appeal so that more members come out in support, and that would make a huge difference," said Anand.
Another human right activist Ushashi Guha, who had conducted research into the LGBTQ community, stated the verdict would only increase malpractices. "Health issue would become a major concern which would be aggravated as doctors would also feel threatened to treat such patients who comes within the ambit of illegal activities," she said.
Sarathi Trust's legal advisor Naresh Kolhe called the verdict "unfortunate" as the very fundamental rights of the community have been curtailed in the case. "It is shocking that democratic country like India is not supporting a right which more than half the world has given sanction,' he said.
"It's taken a long time for homosexuality to gain some acceptance with people opening up with their families. But, now, children may hesitate in revealing their sexual orientation to their parents not for the fear of being misunderstood but for the fear of law," said Vishal Gajbhiye of NGO Aborigine Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha. "Confiding in friends too may be difficult as the information could be misused."
Delhi HC 2009 ruling that decriminalized homosexuality had heightened the acceptance level of the community in the society, according to Amitgiri Goswami from NGO GAURAV TI. "We will need to leverage this support to change the laws," he said.