The AIDS Bhedbhav Virodhi Andolan (ABVA) is releasing the second
edition of ‘Less than Gay’
– A Citizens’ Report on the status of Homosexuality in India. The first edition
of the Report – co-authored by seven members – was published in November 1991.
This edition has a long essay running
into 18,360 words in the form of an introduction written by Shobha Aggarwal,
advocate and member, ABVA. It details the struggle of ABVA (1988-89 till date)
for the full repeal of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which had
criminalised gay sex. ABVA has been submitting its Charter of Demands to the
concerned authorities for acceptance of full rights of sexual minorities
including same-sex marriage, child adoption, inheritance rights etc. ABVA
demanded privacy rights in 1991 which was conceded by the Supreme Court in 2017.
The Charter of Demands is detailed on page 209 of the ‘Less than Gay’.
The full Report is available here.
NEED
FOR CONTINUOUS STRUGGLE
ABVA strongly advocates a continuous,
peaceful democratic struggle of like-minded organisations/people for getting
the Charter of Demands implemented. The judiciary has a very limited role in
this regard. The Indian Parliament should be forced to debate all issues
concerning the LGBTQIA community. So far Parliament has resisted this move
leaving it to the courts to adjudicate the matter.
ABVA is of the opinion that it is a ploy
to convert a political struggle to narrow, legalistic framework. The reversal
of abortion rights in USA granted a few decades earlier – have been engineered
by the present set of judges in the Supreme Court of USA in an increasingly
right-wing, nationalist environment. This should be an eye-opener for all
gay-rights activists in India so that the limited relief granted in 2018
Supreme Court judgement is not reversed by a larger Constitution Bench of the
Supreme Court in future. Will such a larger bench show the courage to repeal
Section 377 in toto?
PETITION
TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
ABVA is sending a copy of the second
edition of ‘Less than Gay’ to the
Union Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs for addressing the full Charter
of Demands which is long pending. ABVA appeals to all concerned citizens,
social organisations, academicians, activists, researchers and authors to form
a broad coalition of forces to undertake a sustained, continuous struggle. This
political struggle should be non-party based. It should make inroads in broader
sections of society viz elected representatives, students, trade-unions,
professionals and others.
Eternal vigilance is the price citizens
have to pay for ensuring liberty. To achieve this a sustained LGBTQIA movement
has to be ensured – Now!
ABVA Collective
Email: aidsbhedbhavvirodhiandolan@gmail.com
Blog:
http://aidsbhedbhavvirodhiandolan.blogspot.com/
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