Odisha LGBTQ Community Calls For Equal Human Rights & Dignity

Bhubaneswar: “Nature stands above law and if the sexual orientation of a person, which is completely natural, is questioned and rebuked, how can the nation function in this uproarious imbalance?” asks 22-year-old Ruble Roy Chowdhury, who belongs to the LGBTQ community.

Chowdhury spoke to Odisha Bytes along with other members of the community with regard to the government’s statement wherein it gave the decision-making power of decriminalising Section 377 to the Supreme Court.

A student in Bhubaneswar, Chouwdhury has been vocal about his sexuality and believes challenging one’s sexuality is challenging Mother Nature.

“Amid all the mud-slinging from various political hypocrites who have been immoral to their own nation, we will not buy filth from their petty opinions. The modern nation knows that it is high time that Section 377 be scrapped. The Chief Justices are fighting for a fear-free life for the LGBTQ community. The SC’s verdict on the Nirbhaya-rape case took time but then justice will be served soon to her family. And now that the fate of the decriminalisation of the LGBTQ community lies with the SC, I personally put forth my last hopes on its verdict, because I believe that things will change soon and the nation will be a happy place to live in,” he said.

Meera Parida
(A transgender and president of All Odisha Kinnar Mahasangh) 

Things keep evolving and changing with time, so should we. We have the right to eat, to study, to follow all religious practices, then why shouldn’t we have the right to choose who we decide to be with? Neither parents nor society can decide it for me or anyone who the partner will be. Turn the pages of history, or better, look at all the amazing temple carvings where women are caught in an act of pleasure together, which shows homosexuality has been a part of our culture since a long, long time. You could also refer to India’s popular book on sex- Kamasutra, which also mentions about the same. I don’t find a reason for Section 377 to be there in our Constitution.

The voice of such a large group cannot be silenced. I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will take the right decision.”

Sabyasachi Satpathy
(A popular Odia TV personality and contestant of reality TV show, Big Boss)

There is nothing unnatural in choosing a partner of the same sex. It is not a contagious disease or a mental illness that has been spread, as said by so many people in the country. It is high time equal rights are given to people. For me, it is about human rights because we have to live in this country without fear. It is also about living a life of dignity where we can marry anyone we want to.

If live-in can be legalised, why not this? Also, for me, Pride March and movements as such do not make sense. I believe you can be anyone and carve a niche for yourself by doing things. We have so many actors, filmmakers and politicians from the LGBTQ community living a life and setting examples.

It is time we stand together. If we keep fighting among ourselves, how can we ever evolve or develop as a nation? Charity begins at home. I urge all the parents to understand their children and their happiness. Selfish love or care is not love. Let them be and allow them the freedom they are born with!

Biswapriya
(Odisha-based human rights activist)

If two consenting adults are engaged in an act of pleasure, no matter what their gender, there is no justification for it being criminalised. Section 377, adverse to Right to Privacy, is also against the law that speaks of legality regarding sexuality. Section 377 should be decriminalised. Besides, there must also be an acceptance by the society.

However, the judiciary cannot work with public opinion. It has to see that no human rights, by any means, should be violated. Equity is important, and SC should take note of that, which probably, it has been doing since some time. I have high hopes.

Priya (Name changed)
(A student in Bhubaneswar with an inclination towards both genders)

If India is called a democratic country, we definitely have the freedom to speech and expression. So, we also obviously should have the freedom to love anyone, irrespective of sex. After all, the most important thing for a country is that the citizens should be at peace and respect their country and government. If people in the 21st century still can’t be vocal about their choices, what good is it?

Ayesha (Name Changed)
(A mother and being queer herself, she doesn’t feel safe in revealing her identity as it may affect her children and how people look at them)

I am hopeful that the verdict will be in favour of the LGBTQ+ community. A law that criminalises love has no place in a democratic country. A LGBTQ+ person is much more than their gender or sexual orientation. But I am mentally prepared for the verdict going against the community too. If Section 377 is abolished and homosexuality is decriminalized, it will help many people to come out in the open without fear.