Gay Rights

SC issues notice to Centre on pleas seeking recognition of gay marriage

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and Attorney General R Venkataramani on two pleas by gay couples seeking a direction that their marriage be recognised under the special marriage law. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli heard the brief submissions of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi before issuing the notices on the pleas. Issue notice returnable in four weeks. Liberty to serve the central agency. Notice be also issued to the Attorney General for India, the bench said. The pleas sought direction seeking recognition of the marriage of two gay couples under the the Special Marriage Act. One plea was filed by gay couple Supriyo Chakraborty and Abhay Dang who live in Hyderabad. The second plea was filed by gay couple Parth Phiroze Mehrotra and Uday Raj. They seek a direction that the right to marry a person of one's choice be extended to persons belonging to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and Queer). The plea sa

Singapore decriminalises gay sex, a small step for LGBTQ in Asia-Pacific

Singapore's decision to decriminalise sex between men is being hailed as a step in the right direction for LGBTQ rights in the Asia-Pacific region, a vast area of nearly 5 billion people with different laws and attitudes. Although many places have decriminalised sexual acts between people of the same sex, only a few allow same-sex marriage, partnerships or unions. Singapore tempered its decision by saying it will amend its constitution to prevent such unions from ever taking place. Many of the region's bans on sex between men were instituted under British colonial rule in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the laws describe such acts as violations against the order of nature. Here are some details on the situation in the Asia-Pacific region: AUSTRALIA All states and territories repealed gay sex bans between 1975 and 1997, while Parliament legalised same-sex marriage throughout the country in 2017. The age of consent became equal for all sexual acts as of 2016. People convicted for

Singapore government to repeal colonial-era law criminalising gay sex

The Singaporean government is set to repeal a colonial-era law that criminalises consensual sex between men, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said

Apple CEO Tim Cook says 'deeply concerned' over LGBTQ laws in US

Walt Disney Co's Bob Chapek is another chief executive to voice his disappointment about the gender identity discussion legislation.

Frames per Second: Can queer romantic comedies boost India's gay culture?

A new subgenre has emerged in Hindi cinema and has received flowers and brickbats

Don't allow same sex marriages under Hindu Marriage Act, plea in Delhi HC

A plea came up before the Delhi High Court on Friday seeking that same sex marriage not be permitted under the Hindu Marriage Act

SC picking Kirpal as Delhi HC judge historic, huge: Gay rights activists

The senior advocate moved a significant step towards becoming a Delhi High Court judge with the collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana, recommending his name

Establishment man: Meet N V Ramana, Chief Justice of India-designate

Ramana is a first-generation lawyer in his family. He became a lawyer in 1983 and a judge in the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2000

Queer at the workplace: Parmesh Shahani nudges companies to be inclusive

Shahani dreams of an India where being queer is a non-issue, says Chintan Girish Modi

Same sex marriages not recognised by our laws, society, values: Govt to HC

The Centre on Monday told the Delhi High Court that marriage between same sex couples was "not permissible" as it is not recognised by "our laws, legal system, society and our values"

Health associations warn against dangers of LGBT 'conversion therapy'

Three Indian mental health associations issued separate statements last month pointing to the dangers of 'conversion therapy' for LGBTQIA+ people, two years after same-sex relations were decriminalis

Renowned fashion designer, activist Wendell Rodricks dies at Goa home

A Padma Shri awardee, Rodricks was also an author, environmentalist and gay rights activist

SC to decide Centre's stand on Section 377: Sadananda Gowda

On Feb 3, apex court had referred petitions against the Section to a Constitution Bench for a possible back-to-roots, in-depth hearing

Vikram Johri: Penalising difference

India is very different from the US but gay rights and the trajectory of gay lives are known to follow similar arcs in different countries