Becky Blab

(Carrying on from the previous list of laws needing to be updated). Health Minister A Ramadoss declared that he is behind the legalisation of homosexuality in India. (For other news coverage of it, click here).

Addressing a 250-strong India session at the International AIDS Conference here on Thursday, he strongly campaigned for the changing the law which makes homosexuality illegal. “Section 377 of IPC, which criminalizes men who have sex with men, must go,” he said, at the risk of inviting a political reaction back home.

I wonder if it would have made it more difficult for him if he’d actually been in India, making the statement? Regardless, it was plastered on the front page so it’s not as if it’s been hushed up.

Gay activists are understandably encouraged, and

are now planning to strengthen their campaign as they feel “a favourable wind is blowing in their direction”.

A TOI editorial notes though that

The home ministry, which is responsible for implementation of the IPC, is against the removal of Section 377 since it is under this section that prosecution of child abusers and other sexual offenders is carried out. The solution may be to amend, not repeal, the law.

All right already, then just fix it so homosexuality isn’t a crime!

I am Natasha
she said with pride
I am what I am
A fact I wont hide
the world
of the androgynous
my paradise
dance my divinity
a metaphor of humility
with god as my guide
like a breath of fresh air
into human hearts
I slide
man woman the androgyne
a widening divide
article 377
the scourge of our existence
I take in my stride
Thank you
Dr A Ramadoss
Your Kindness
Your Sincerity
Your Vision
at the Indian Aids Conference
with which
you replied
Politics of Purity
God by your side
Our Right to Freedom
of our Sexuality
as the Third Path of Peace
that has been denied

From Firoze at hijdaeunuchblog.