32 years back on 22nd
November 1991, ABVA released ‘Less than Gay’ – A Citizens’ Report on the status
of Homosexuality in India co-authored by seven ABVA members. The 2nd Edition of the Report was
released in November 2022.
The 2nd 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 Report. Full Report
is available here.
