Date:04/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/04/stories/2009070455871002.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Homosexuality

In a landmark decision, the Delhi High Court has decriminalised gay sex between consenting adults. It is a recognition of the rights of the sexual minorities. Society should accept that there are people with different sexual preferences. They should be allowed to live without being penalised by the majority. The judgment should be translated into an amendment of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

D.B.N. Murthy,

Bangalore

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Homosexuals are born, not made. It is against all tenets of natural justice to criminalise a non-violent, consensual relationship between adults just because a majority regards it as deviant. The Delhi High Court has rendered real justice to a maligned minority group. Let us hope and pray that the ruling survives the raving and ranting of self-righteous leaders who want it to be reversed. How many of these leaders realise that their favourite model, singer, actor, artist, writer, politician, professor, or sportsperson is probably gay?

Ram Narayan,

Chennai

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The verdict will hopefully end the discrimination faced by the LGBTs. Every individual has a right to live his or her life with dignity and with the person of his or her choice. Choosing a partner or a religion is best left to the conscience of a person. Sexual preferences cannot be imposed by law or moral police. It is time we adopted a progressive attitude towards social and religious matters.

Amit Bhandari,

New Delhi

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The High Court verdict may not be welcomed by many but it will surely be recognised as a landmark by activists and supporters of gay sex. It has been reinforced yet again that all sections of society can get justice in India.

Amrita Chandra,

Nadia, West Bengal

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Nobody is to blame for being born a transgender or with different feelings. Why should anyone be treated differently for having a different sexual orientation? We need to view the issue empathetically. The judiciary has given a commendable verdict.

N. Ramani,

Chennai

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As it is, the young have been spoilt by television and computers. Decriminalising gay sex will add to the unhealthy atmosphere. Let us exercise caution in dealing with issues such as LGBT rights lest the next generation should blame us for being irresponsible.

Mani Natarajan,

Chennai

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Tampering with nature will do more harm than good in the long run. Following the decriminalisation of gay sex, I am sure most people are in grave shock and parents are scared of the long-term repercussions.

Suresh Antil,

New Delhi There is no reason to rejoice over the Delhi High Court decision decriminalising gay sex. It is a symbol of cultural degradation. The media are unnecessarily giving importance to homosexuality.

Sukumar Talpady,

Mangalore

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Homosexuality is unnatural. Legalising it is one more step towards western culture which has virtually ruined the social fabric of the western countries.

A. Radha Krishna,

Hyderabad Now that gay sex between consenting adults has been decriminalised, it is only a matter of time before we have gay marriages. Same sex marriages will further disintegrate the family system and may lead to the spread of diseases like HIV.

D. Krishnamurthy,

Visakhapatnam

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The financial institutions in the West collapsed thanks to the overuse of credit cards. Their social system is also crumbling because of the proliferation of activities such as homosexuality. I agree that homosexuals should not be treated as criminals. But how are we going to ensure that they do not lure heterosexuals? Is it not time we taught the young that the man-woman relationship is the most stable?

V. Vijaya Mohan,

Tiruvallur