South Asian gay rights group disappointed with SC ruling

Washington: Describing it as a "setback", an eminent US-based South Asian gay rights group today expressed disappointment over Indian Supreme Court`s ruling that gay sex between consenting adults was a criminal offence.

"No doubt about it, today`s ruling is a setback," `Khush DC` president Sapna Pandya said in a statement soon after the Supreme Court pronounced its verdict in New Delhi. "But it doesn`t take away from the fact that the recent past has seen promise for LGBTQ rights in not just India, but also other South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal," Pandya said. "We stand in solidarity with the brave activists in South Asia and worldwide who have taken such huge leaps in recent years and know they will continue the fight for equality in spite of the disappointment we all feel today," Pandya said. `Khush DC` is a social, support and political group that provides a safe and supportive environment, promotes awareness and acceptance, and fosters positive cultural and sexual identity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) and additional gender or sexual minority South Asians in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. It represents a broad array of nationalities, including those of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.