As one should have expected, Supreme Court’s verdict on section 377 is allowing many LGBTQ people to shed their inhibitions and come out of the closets, once and for all.
The apex court decriminalized consensual same-sex relations earlier this month in a groundbreaking judgement, giving the sexual minorities of the nation their long awaited basic rights.
Although the journey towards true social equality is still a long battle, this does help many cross the first bridge towards being acknowledged without any prejudice and stigma – and hence allowing many closeted souls to finally break the shell.
Incredible how brilliantly the #Section377Verdict has been firewalled. ‘Using this legal doctrine, Chief Justice Misra has held that once a right is recognised and given to the public, it cannot be taken back by the state at a later date.’ #NoGoingBack https://t.co/1JChraSgtr
— Apurva Asrani (@Apurvasrani) September 11, 2018
Apurv Asrani – the National Award Winning filmmaker is one such person, who – only a few days after SC’s verdict, has made his 11 year old relationship with boyfriend musician Siddhant Pillai public.
Making a declaration of the love that has always breathed without inhibitions, Apurva uploaded a picture with Pillai, in which the two were standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, and gave it a heartwarming caption as he wrote:
“11 years of togetherness. We loved openly even when the law tried to stop us. The only difference now is that we can share our love with the world.”
Speaking to a leading daily on SC’s landmark verdict, the filmmaker, writer and editor said:
“For too long, we have lived in a democracy that is unevenly applied. Because of what I do with another consenting adult in my private space, the law has been able to call me a criminal. So, my heterosexual brother, for example, has different rights from me. He can fall in love with a person of his choice get into a recognised union with her and then choose to adopt a child. I do not have any of those rights. Heterosexual couples get respect by default. Even we want that.”
Growing up gay in 80’s & 90’s Bombay. My story before the movies.#Section377Verdict https://t.co/orQA2qNIOD
— Apurva Asrani (@Apurvasrani) September 7, 2018
Let us hope this will be one of the many stories of love breaking away from social barriers and coming out in the public after the Supreme Court verdict.