Prejudice against Homosexuality.

“I am no longer accepting the things I can’t change; I am changing the things I can’t accept”, this beautiful quote was stated by Angela Davis.

Homosexuality which came from a Greek word ‘Homos’ meaning the ‘same’ refers to the attraction to same sex people. In our life the tendency to choose our likes and dislikes and other preferences has slowly become our right, since we are free and neither slaves nor under the authority of someone. We have to make certain choices daily- be it in terms of what to wear or what to order from the menu, however when it comes to our preferences regarding our partner, it becomes a big issue. The ancient Indian culture was more open to the idea of ‘same sex’, it was criminalized during the British colonial era putting it under 377 IPC. In fact, we were so open and understanding about such matters that the British labeled us as backward people. As time passed, our real culture became more orthodox due to the British influence where such matters became blasphemous to even talk about. We were people of a rich mindset, in fact ancient India was way ahead of its time. Article 377 allowed for the discrimination of LGBTQIA+ people to the extent that they were killed. This colonial era law was first questioned by NGO Naz Foundation and AIDS Bedbhav Virodh in 2001, after which in 2009 the Supreme Court decriminalized and put with the articles 14, 15 and 21 but because of years of brainwashing by the colonial laws people’s attitudes became so narrow-minded and orthodox that people fought against this, stating it is “unnatural”. After fighting for more years, on 6 September 2018 it was decriminalized. It is something which should be celebrated because this is a representation of our real, progressive and culturally rich Indian perspective rather than the one which was influenced by Colonials. I may have over emphasized the idea that homophobia was instilled in our Indian culture by colonials but this point is essential as we are so unaware about our own culture , our own ancestral ways of thinking . The prejudice should end around homosexuality because like all the other choices that a human being makes in their life, it is our right to love who we love. Our ancestors were way ahead of their time. So, let’s walk on the path of modernity, as I believe that change is the law of nature. Let’s change this Prejudice to Pride.