Female lawyers Arundathi Katju and Menaka Guruswamy, The driving force behind the abolishment of section 377 a law that penalized homosexuality. Named by Time’s Magazine in their list of 100 most influential people in the world.
While most countries label a criminal as someone deplorable and a partaker in wrongdoings, here in the streets of India people searching for love and affection from their same-sex partners were classified as offenders. And handed out prison sentences longer than the ones served by confirmed delinquents such as murderers and rapists. Until now…
Lawyers Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju who just announced and confirmed their relationship on social media are the two driving forces behind the nullification of Section 377 of the Indian constitution. A law that made not only carnal interaction but also being a part of the LGBTQIA community as illegal. In an interview with Ms. Guruswamy, she reveals that homosexuality has been a part of India since ancient times, with plenty of speculations stating that there had been numerous instances wherein Rakshas (demon) women were seen kissing and making love to other women. Furthermore Shikhandani a warrior was known to be a transgender. She was the daughter of King Draupada who willingly raised her as a Prince to take revenge on the Kurus or the rulers of Hastinapur. (now, Delhi) The most prominent figures of homosexuality were known to be Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. When Lord Vishnu had taken the avatar of Mohini, a woman created to seduce and trick the demons Lord shiva ended up falling in love with her and they had a child lord Ayyapa together. Thus proving quite adamantly that homosexuality did exist in the bygone times. It was the British Raj and their colonization of India, in fact, that led to a taboo being created and then further criminalization of gay sex altogether.
The extent of the Phobia against the community was so massive that till date queer folks in all post-colonial countries have governments that believe that their laws and culture are dissimilar to the ones followed by homosexuals. Ms. Katju stated that “It is extremely unfortunate that reforms to government laid laws have to be made by the judiciary as the legislature itself has taken no actions”. This is why citizens such as her and her significant other Ms. Guruswamy take matters in their own hands and help battle the discrimination and stigma faced by gays all over the country.
The fruitful outcome of the hard work and passion of these two women have inspired millions of Indians to come out to their parents, friends, and family. Indian homosexual sprinter Dutee Chand mentioned in one of her statements that the dedication, strength and coming out of Menaka and Arundhita was what led her to shout out to the world that she too was gay. These strong-headed and resilient women have helped not only individuals but also fullfledged nations such as Malaysia and Singapore to rethink their anti-gay rulings.
There were extensive amounts of troubles encountered initially, as there were not enough straight or queer lawyers ready to come on and join the case. Due to fear of persecution and societal and familial unacceptance, they hesitated to be a part of the cause. Yet Menaka and Arundhati were unstoppable! They firmly believed that history owed them an apology, and were unwilling to rest until the outdated legacy of the British colonial law had been publicly deemed unconstitutional.
This beautiful couple has fought for themselves and the rights of their fellow queer community members, this was a fight not only for sex but for love, acceptance affection, and most importantly the freedom to be themselves, to break away from the closet of anonymity. It was a fight for all those lives lost due to crippling depression bullying, forced marriages, physical abuse, and coercive rape. A battle for all those LGBT senior citizens who lived their whole life in silence and unseen longing, for those children ripped away from a support system due to family honor stemming from Patriarchy.
But the war isn’t over yet. While huge leaps of development have been made yet the final combat for representation and acceptance remains unfought. Though the disbandment of section 377 has proved to be successful in many aspects. Society must continue to make progress and efforts to love and understand one and other, after implementation of changed aws to successfully welcome the LGBT community as one of our own.