Current:Home > StocksIndia’s LGBTQ+ community holds pride march, raises concerns over country’s restrictive laws -Blueprint Wealth Network
India’s LGBTQ+ community holds pride march, raises concerns over country’s restrictive laws
View
Date:2025-04-12 21:44:47
NEW DELHI (AP) — More than 2,000 people took part in a gay pride event in New Delhi, waving rainbow flags and multicolored balloons as they celebrated sexual diversity in India but also raised concerns over the country’s restrictive laws.
Dancing to drums and music, the participants walked for more than two hours to the Jantar Mantar area near India’s Parliament. They held banners reading “Equality for all” and “Queer and proud.”
The annual event comes after India’s top court refused to legalize same-sex marriages in an October ruling that disappointed campaigners for LGBTQ+ rights in the world’s most populous country.
“It’s not about marriage. It’s about equality. Everybody should have the same right because that’s what our constitution says,” said Noor Enayat, one of the volunteers organizing this year’s event.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court’s five-judge bench heard 21 petitions that sought to legalize same-sex marriage in India.
The justices called for steps to raise awareness among the public about LGBTQ+ identity and to establish hotlines and safe houses for those in the community who are facing violence. They also urged the state to make sure same-sex couples don’t face harassment or discrimination in accessing basic needs, like opening a joint bank account, but stopped short of granting legal recognition to same-sex unions.
Legal rights for LGBTQ+ people in India have been expanding over the past decade, mostly as a result of the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Participants of the Delhi Queer Pride Parade carrying placards saying ‘Out and Proud’ and ‘Love’ pose for a photograph during the march in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. This annual event comes as India’s top court refused to legalize same-sex marriages in an October ruling that disappointed campaigners for LGBTQ+ rights in the world’s most populous country. (AP Photo/Shonal Ganguly)
In 2018, the top court struck down a colonial-era law that had made gay sex punishable by up to 10 years in prison and expanded constitutional rights for the gay community. The decision was seen as a historic victory for LGBTQ+ rights.
Despite this progress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government resisted the legal recognition of same-sex marriage and rejected several petitions in favor. Some religious groups, too, had opposed same-sex unions, saying they went against Indian culture.
Homosexuality has long carried a stigma in India’s traditional society, even though there has been a shift in attitudes toward same-sex couples in recent years. India now has openly gay celebrities and some high-profile Bollywood films have dealt with gay issues.
According to a Pew survey, acceptance of homosexuality in India increased by 22 percentage points to 37% between 2013 and 2019. But same-sex couples often face harassment in many Indian communities, whether Hindu, Muslim or Christian.
veryGood! (67679)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Women's March Madness Elite Eight schedule, TV, predictions and more for Monday's games
- Bus in South Africa plunges off bridge and catches fire, killing 45 people
- Millions of recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles with a dangerous defect remain on the road
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Visa, Mastercard agree to $30B deal with merchants. What it means for credit card holders.
- How to clean the inside of your refrigerator and get rid of those pesky odors
- Robert De Niro, Snoop Dogg and Austin Butler Unite at Dinner Party and Talk Numbers
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Transgender athletes face growing hostility: four tell their stories in their own words
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- 2 people charged in connection with house blaze that led to death of NC fire chief
- How to watch Iowa vs LSU Monday: Time, TV for Women's NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game
- Salah fires title-chasing Liverpool to 2-1 win against Brighton, top of the standings
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Denny Hamlin wins NASCAR Cup Series' Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond after late caution flag
- This week on Sunday Morning (March 31)
- How to clean the inside of your refrigerator and get rid of those pesky odors
Recommendation
Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
Mega Millions winning numbers for March 29 drawing; $20 million jackpot
King Charles Celebrates Easter Alongside Queen Camilla in Rare Public Appearance Since Cancer Diagnosis
How to clean the inside of your refrigerator and get rid of those pesky odors
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
JuJu Watkins has powered USC into Elite Eight. Meet the 'Yoda' who's helped her dominate.
Trump allies hope to raise $33 million at Florida fundraiser, seeking to narrow gap with Biden
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Stamp Collection