In Year Since Ban on Gay Sex, How Life Has Changed for Homosexuals in India

India’s capital witnessed the first Delhi queer pride parade on Sunday since the country’s Supreme Court reinstated a law banning gay sex almost a year ago.

Members and supporters of the lesbian gay bisexual and transgendered community thronged the streets in a colorful display of solidarity against the reintroduction of the colonial-era law.

Amid slogans demanding “Azaadi” or freedom from Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalizes “unnatural sex,” the participants marched through the heart of New Delhi towards Jantar Mantar, a popular protest site, in a parade that started at 3p.m. and continued for four hours.

Gay sex was decriminalized in a landmark judgment by Delhi High Court in 2009 but in December last year, India’s highest court overturned the decision on grounds that it should be the Parliament that legislates on such matters not the courts. Since then, activists say that cases of violence and discrimination against members of the LGBT community have increased.  “Just a few days ago, more than 160 transgenders were arrested in Bangalore,” Gautam Bhan, gay rights activist told the crowd at Jantar Mantar.

How has life changed for India’s gay community in the year since the law against homosexual acts was reinstated last year? Here’s what a few participants at the Pride march said:

Sambhav K. Sharma, a 25-year-old freelance writer

“Last year changed my life. The judgment was the reason me and my partner got engaged immediately.  Because of the sense of fear. That’s when my partner felt that it was a signal that we should move out of the country.  But I didn’t want to run away. I wanted to stay here and join the movement.”

Nandini Rao, a 47-year-old women’s rights activist: “I’m here in solidarity. Today, there are more people who are out there, talking about their lives. There’s more awareness of queer issues."

Sanjay, a 23-year-old development consultant at International Innovation Corps who uses a single name: “I recently came out, but haven’t come out to my mom yet. She’s very orthodox. After the judgment, it became slightly difficult to live with yourself in a country where you felt cheated for being who you are.”

Tona Shah, a 22-year-old social activist: “I identified myself as a transgender last year. I’m happy we have some rights for transgenders now. But I’m here to demand rights for the rest of my community.”

In April last year, the Supreme Court recognized transgendered people as a legal third gender under the Other Backward Class minority category enabling them to get equal opportunities in education and employment.

Monish Kabir Malhotra a 27-year-old publicist

“My life hasn’t changed. I was out many years before. Many judgments came and went by. Today, India is telling its 12 and 13 year olds that your life has no scope. I see the pride first as a protest against Section 377 and then a celebration.”

A legal challenge to the Supreme Court judgment on homosexual acts is awaiting hearing by the Chief Justice of India.

“This is young India and they are saying that fear won’t become a dominant mode,” said gay rights activist Gautam Bhan.