Indians Call for 377 to Quit India!

[Guest guest]

*Indians Call for 377 to Quit **India**!*

*Voices Raised in Solidarity for Queer Azadi in Mumbai*

On the afternoon of 16th August, 2008, a coalition of Mumbai-based lesbian, gay,

bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations held the *Queer Azadi*Rally to

repeal Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Section 377 is a provision that

criminalizes " carnal intercourse against the order of nature " and is used by law

enforcement officials to threaten and harass queer people.

" Queer " is a term that was originally derogatory, but has since been

reclaimed as a positive identity marker by those whose sexuality or gender

identification society considers odd, strange or abnormal. All those who

identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, *hijra*, transgender,* kothi*, *panthi*, or*

*intersex are all included under the umbrella of the queer community.

The rally was organized by a total of twelve organizations: Aanchal Trust,

Astitva, Dai Welfare Society, GayBombay, Humsaaya, Humsafar Trust, INFOSEM,

Lesbians and Bisexuals in Action, Queer Media Collective, Rainbow Pride

Connexion, Sakhi Char Chowghi, Salvation Star, Sarathi, and Symphony in Pink.

Several other organizations, including the Lawyers Collective, came out to

support the cause as well.

16th August was chosen as *Queer Azadi Diwas* to highlight the fact that though

the country achieved its independence on 15th August, 1947, its countless queer

citizens still do not have freedom. Today, over 1,500 people joined in for this

march, including not only members of the queer community, but many friends,

family, colleagues and other supporters of the cause.

The event kicked off with speeches at August Kranti Maidan, where the Quit India

movement of 1942 also began. Celina Jaitley, a Bollywood star, was present at

the event and also spoke against S.377. Complete with waving rainbow flags and

beating *dhol* drums, the rally meandered through August Kranti Marg across

Kennedy Bridge.

Participants marched in solidarity, carrying colorful banners and

enthusiastically chanting slogans in Hindi, Marathi, English and several other

languages. Slogans such as " *Phek do, phek do, 377: phek do!* " emphasized the

need to do away with the provision while others called for queer rights and an

end to queer-phobia. The rally

culminated with participants assembling at Girgaum Chowpatty and singing a Hindi

rendition of " We Shall Overcome " (Hum Honge Kamayab).

The mood was celebratory, in stark contrast to the 2001 rally for Sahayog, when

Mumbai groups mobilized to protest the arrest of HIV peer outreach workers in

Lucknow's MSM community. At that time, groups worked to break the palpable fear

and tension of the community, whereas today, community members of all

sexualities came together to celebrate and loudly raise voices in protest.

In the coming month, a hearing of the case against S.377 will be held in the

Delhi High Court. The petitioner, Naz Foundation (India) Trust, has challenged

the constitutional validity of S.377 on the grounds that it violates the rights

to privacy, dignity, equality and health, and the case is being argued by

counsel from the Lawyers Collective. The hearing is scheduled for the 18-19th of

September, and daily updates will be available from this date on

www.lawyerscollective.org.

Further details and photographs of the event will be posted onto

www.lawyerscollective.org early next week.

Bhavana Nancherla

Media and Communications Officer

Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit

e-mail: <bhavana.lists@...>