Message from India UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Dr. Gilks

[Guest guest]

Subject: Message from India UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Dr. Gilks

Today the Union Cabinet took a small but extremely important step in the fight

against HIV and AIDS by upholding the rights of men to have sex with other men

through not contesting the historic Delhi High Court ruling on 377.

Let us be clear exactly what removing the coercive and penal laws suppressing

homosexuals' rights means – free discussion can be had with people who are at

much higher risks of HIV infection; sex between men will not be driven

underground and away from the services which are needed to protect health and

preserve well-being; and government and NGO clinics can provide openly services

geared towards homosexuals.

The public health community in India has been waiting for a long time for such

leadership and bold action to enable it effectively to respond to these issues.

UNAIDS unreservedly welcomes this announcement and congratulates the Union

Cabinet for listening to reason, fact and sound public-health logic in respect

of the rights of one citizen group.

___________________________

Govt not to oppose Delhi HC order on gay rights

CNN-IBN

NEW BEGINING: Law Minister has already submitted a report to Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh.

New Delhi: Union Cabinet on Thursday will formally announce its decision not to

challenge Delhi High Court order legalising homosexuality. The government's nod

will be a big boost for gay and lesbian community in the country. Sources have

told CNN-IBN that the government will formally announce that it has no objection

to the historic Delhi High Court judgement on decriminalising homosexuality.

According to sources the decision is likely to be made by Thursday afternoon.

The three-member committee comprising Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, Health

Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and the Law Minister M Veerappa Moily have decided not

to oppose the Delhi High court judgement.

Attorney General of India Goolam E Vahanvati has also told the Supreme Court

that government will not oppose Delhi High Court order.

The Law Minister has submitted a report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on

decision arrived by the three-member panel. But reservation among some ministers

like Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi still remains.

Earlier, in an interview to CNN-IBN Moily had said that the government was

impressed by the recent Delhi High Court order legalising homosexuality. " One

thing must go to the credit of the Delhi High Court judgement. It is well

documented, well researched.

I must tell the judges... the subject may be different, but at the same time

this is one judgement which has really stood out in the judicial annals of this

country, " Moily said. When asked if the judgement was well researched and well

argued, Moily replied, " Well documented, well argued. "

Ashok Rowkavi

e-mail: <arowkavi@...>