Our sexual orientation is something we choose for ourselves. Since millennial, India has been aware of the term "homosexuality." For a long time, however, the concept of homosexuality was considered abhorrent in society. This was regarded a violation of Indian tradition not only by orthodox society, but also by our Constitution.

HOW AND WHEN?

In India, the concept of homosexuality has been known since the Vedic Age and a lot of ancient temples showcase it. These temples have such an erotic display of art but still the society considered it to be unnatural.Section 377 came into force in India in 1860s during the British rule. This law clearly states that any form of sexual intercourse against the law of nature is obscene. Many Indian leaders including Mahatma Gandhi were against this law.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: THE INFLUENCE

Some people were outspoken in their opposition to homosexuality. Shakuntala Devi was one of these powerful souls. Shakuntala Devi published her book, "The World of Homosexuals," in 1977. This book contributed to the LGBT community's pride in its presence. It featured interviews with individuals who come out and revealed their personal tales. It featured interviews with people who bravely shared their tales in order to inspire others. Unfortunately, the novel elicited more criticism than praise.

This was the first official step toward the acceptance of homosexuality among the general public. As a result of the impact, the Trans community organized a meeting in Agra in 1981, which drew 50,000 members of the community.

COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET

On July 2, 1999, the first LGBT pride parade, dubbed "Calcutta Rainbow Pride," was held. The march had only 15 participants, yet they were an inspiration to thousands. Finally, in 2001, a group of lawyers and Marxists filed the first petition challenging Section 377. The social group ‘Voices Against 377' was the first to speak out against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.By 2006, an open letter demanding to take down this section rang the courtroom bells.

WHEN THE COURTS CAME INTO ACTION

After many people's efforts, the Delhi High Court finally issued a significant ruling in 2010. Minorities, especially the transgender community, were granted equal rights as a result of the ruling. This decision provided everyone with a glimpse of hope. In 2016, ‘Amour,' an LGBT dating app, was released. The Supreme Court finally found Section 377 illegal on September 6, 2018. The day our constitution recognized this community as a full member of society.

There's no denying that in today's society, the fight for acceptability is still going on. People still have a closed outlook when it comes to homosexuality. The majority of people, on the other hand, are standing up for their rights and inspiring others to do the same. We must all work together to help everyone accept their genuine self.