Calls for equal rights grow - 17th January 2023

Hundreds of people participated in Delhi's Queer Pride march. They're demanding same-sex marriage to be made legal in India.

Although Ajay Chauhan's celebrating pride, he's also protesting for equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

Ajay Chauhan: "It's time that we come out, as always, and raise our voices. Because Pride is just not a celebration, it is also is a protest, right. It is a very political statement going out to the government that there's a large community in play and their rights needs to be met. And we need to be heard equally."

In 2018, LGBTQ+ relationships became legal in India. The Supreme Court said that the 150 year old law against same-sex relationships was unlawful. Before this, gay men had faced up to 10 years in jail.

Chauhan thinks this is only the first step, and that the LGBTQ+ community needs more rights.

Ajay Chauhan: "Decriminalisation has only targeted one aspect of it. But there's a larger aspect where the rights are still not there with the LGBTQ community. So we need to really focus on those rights like inheriting properties together, opening bank accounts. Marriage is one big thing because once the marriage comes into play, all these other aspects of the rights will actually be met."

Mikali Singh: "And there'll be more acceptance because in society marriage is accepted."

Traditional ideas of family still have significant importance in India. But many LGBTQ+ people are still cut off by family, friends or colleagues if they come out. However, there's growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities in modern cities. Bollywood films and series have begun to include LGBTQ+ characters.

LGBTQ+ equality fits with the cultural history of India, says university professor Akash Rathore.

Akash Rathore: "It is a high time for India to look for equality. If you see, historical India was always a place where we respected you, like, equality."

LGBTQ+ couples in India are taking their challenge to the Supreme Court. If the court agrees with the couples, this will legalise same-sex marriage. It would join Taiwan as the second Asian country with marriage equality.