We, as a society, are fighting a gamut of pressing problems, but nothing threatens equality like homophobia and transphobia does! And the truth is that while we step out to march in pride parades, the LGBTQIA community In India has more than just rights at stake. Especially with Section 377 still criminalising gay sex and same-sex marriages!
And it’s not just the identity crisis; the community is fighting mass unawareness, taboos and social stigma on a daily basis.
But fortunately, it seems like all that is going to change. If you haven’t heard already the Supreme Court, in a welcoming change, has decided to revisit the judgment upholding Section 377.
According to The Hindu, the apex court has referred the matter to a larger bench and said,
“The determination of order of nature is not a constant phenomenon. Societal morality changes with time, law walks with life. A section of people can’t live in fear of their individual choice.”
Needless to say, the reconsideration has left people hopeful of a day when the State will not dictate terms on consensual sex among individuals and give them the dignity they deserve.
But while I wish we could talk about that in lengths, there is something else that I’d like to draw your attention to.
It so happened that ANI, on the jubilant occasion, reached out to MP/economist/lawyer Subramanian Swamy to know his views about the same. But it was when he said that all hell broke loose. Why? Because he said…
As long as they don't celebrate it, don't flaunt it, don't create gay bars to select partners it's not a problem. In their privacy what they do, nobody can invade but if you flaunt it, it has to be punished & therefore there has to be #Section377 of the IPC: Subramanian Swamy pic.twitter.com/hgWtw54U3P
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2018
“As long as they don’t celebrate it, don’t flaunt it, don’t create gay bars to select partners it’s not a problem.
In their privacy what they do, nobody can invade but if you flaunt it, it has to be punished & therefore there has to be Section 377 of the IPC.”
Yes, you heard that right.
Now, unsurprisingly, Twitter is up against the wall, slamming Swamy for his ‘bigoted’ opinions. See for yourself.
1. ‘I shall not hide.’
I shall celebrate. I shall not hide. We will create bars not only to select partners but to live free and happy amongst our own. And what is "it"? Sex? That fact we are queer? The fact you can't digest it? What is the "it"? https://t.co/d4n1PeCjqU
— vivek tejuja 🌈 (@vivekisms) January 8, 2018
2. Can you argue that?
By this stupid argument even Karwa Chaut should be banned because it's a blatant display of monogamy and heterosexuality. Inko dimag nahi hai Kya?https://t.co/eZsX7fqwlX
— Bharath Reddy (@seyrup) January 9, 2018
3. THE. BEST.
https://twitter.com/angry_chikken/status/950637246956298240
4. ‘Homophobic,’ claimed one.
How about not flaunting your heterosexuality, you homophobic bigot. #Section377 https://t.co/zEqAzaQsTf
— Dr Prerna Bakshi (@bprerna) January 8, 2018
5. These are questions that the entire nation is asking RN.
https://twitter.com/VishakhaJ18/status/950655846555426816
6. OUCH.
This man is a living Whatsapp forward. https://t.co/kA90seB6wo
— meghnad 🔗 (@Memeghnad) January 8, 2018
7. Only if…
Why shouldn't two consenting adults of same sex celebrate their companionship like any other hetero couple? Why r ppl scared of same sex couple? https://t.co/CLkJY4NtF1
— Talking Crap (@4nur4g) January 9, 2018
8. Maybe Elon Musk can help?
Wish there was a way to pack some blokes off to Mars. https://t.co/cIe66f69ax
— Sreemoy Talukdar (@sreemoytalukdar) January 8, 2018
9. ‘Is this a democracy or not?’
Just hear him. He should be jailed just for being so damn hateful and bigoted. Who are you Mr @Swamy39 ? Just who are you to decide for others? Is this a democracy or not? https://t.co/0TZ3kvxKjx
— Sanjukta Basu (@sanjukta) January 8, 2018
10. Food for thought.
https://twitter.com/shreyilaanasuya/status/950312240196055041
11. Such are the times…
Why do u shoot ur mouth off unneccsarily Dr @Swamy39. Not done ! https://t.co/29jiOWdruH
— Vikram Sampath (@vikramsampath) January 8, 2018
12. Point blank.
Go Fuck Yourself! https://t.co/Du2rJy6Xld
— Agnivo Niyogi (অগ্নিভ নিয়োগী) (@Aagan86) January 8, 2018
13. Isn’t it unconstitutional now?
That is like stifling the Right to Live. https://t.co/ghVI6OaGSL
— Akshata Mishra (@akshatamadhu) January 9, 2018
14. WORD.
Don't celebrate it? Wtf is that? This man should just top pooping from his mouth. https://t.co/AdA4D27fvH
— Initnamees 🇮🇳 (@SeemantiniBose) January 9, 2018
15. On another note…
Comedy nights with Subramanian Swamy https://t.co/gFkKEhKZSY
— The Black Sheep (@meanmou) January 9, 2018
I don’t know about but it’s stances like this that tie us back to the regressive bondages we’re trying to escape. And honestly, Subramanian Swamy should have known better.