New Delhi: 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, a report said.
The research by Haryana-based Jindal Global Law School has found that the High Court`s judgement passed in July 2009
on decriminalisation of gay sex led to "increased self-
confidence" of LGBT members and there has been a positive
impact of the verdict.
"There is a growing societal acceptance for Gay, MSM and
Kothi men. Many respondents (LGBT members) stated that the
societal perception of homosexuals is changing and people were
treating them with respect," said the report of a research
team from the Centre for Health Law, Ethics and Technology
(CHLET) at the law school.
The study, first of its kind after the High Court`s
verdict, assumes significance as the Supreme Court is hearing
a bunch of petition filed by anti-gay rights groups
challenging High Court`s verdict of legalising gay sex.
Gay sex was earlier a offence under Section 377 of the
Indian Penal Code punishable upto life imprisonment but the
High Court decriminalised the act among consenting adults
done in private.
"It is evident from the study 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," the
report said.
PTI
