India gays win landmark ruling decriminalizing homosexual sex

[XOX]

Finally, India would get rid of the British negative influence (or Christian influence) law that criminalized homosexual sex.

This is a landmark victory.

Read the news.

India gays win landmark ruling decriminalizing homosexual sex

Hinduism does not condemn gay people: UK Hindu Council

India media hails gay sex ruling

US gay activists welcome Delhi HC decision as "historic"

Indian gays celebrate after judge repeals anti-sex law

India's ruling against 'sodomy' laws is first step to equality

New Delhi court overturns gay sex ban

Bollywood’s poster girl for gay rights tells her own story of love,... (Miss India for gay rights would put anti-gay ex-Miss California to shame.)

The repeal of 377 is an important victory. The world sucks a little less today.

Update:

As there are some who try to deny the fact that it is totally a British import law with Christian influence, I would put the Human Rights Watch report the Origins of "Sodomy" Laws in British Colonialism here.

As someone pointed it out the report is a big long and take time to read. I would post a shorter version of Sodomy Law 101 here: Sodomy Laws and Sodomy Law Reform.


News update (on 13 July 2009)

Challenge to India gay sex ruling

Quote:

"The ruling was widely and visibly welcomed by India's gay community who said it would protect them from harassment and persecution.
But religious groups from the Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities have come out in strongly opposition."

[Megan]

These are my thoughts:

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

I believe that encompasses quite eloquently the nature of my feelings.

[XOX]

Thank you for sharing this with me. It is a happy dance moment.

[sabelmouse]

that is nice. sorry, very tired, can't think of anything else to say just now.

[Kenny]

Ha! Take that jesus!

[sabelmouse]

it's not jesuses fault. we have been through this.

[Kenny]

fine

Ha! Take that jesusfreaks!

[Matt]

"Finally, India would get rid of the British negative influence (or Christian influence) law that criminalized homosexual sex."

It's not the British influence or Christian influence that prohibited gay sex. Many people of the faith of Hinduism believe that homosexuality is wrong (Manusmrti 11:174). Islam is also quite against homosexuality.

Instead of blaming everything on Christianity, you should look at all of the facts.

[Randi]

Islam has a strong basis in Christianity. Jesus is even cited as a prophet.

[Matt]

Christianity has a strong basis in Judaism especially considering Christians are really "messianic Jews".

So using that form of thought, it's not the Christians' fault at all but the Jews'.

Of course Islam is more of a Pakistani thing, and was more of a factor in India before it got liberation from England.

[Randi]

Actually, there's a high population of Muslims in northern India. There's still a bit of conflict between the Muslims and the Hindis.

Also, the reason I stated that previously was due to your statement of Islam against homosexuality.
From what I've read, Judaism isn't strict against homosexuality like Christianity is (where Islam finds its roots). There is 1 line in Leviticus that discusses it, and in the past, the Jews looked towards Leviticus as a holiness code-not exactly God's law, just an order of cleanliness for those who sought religious positions.
However, this thought had transformed over time in the Christian perspective. Further, I don't believe the Koran states anything objectively against homosexuality ( I haven't read all of it, so I can't say for sure). I think it's in the Hadith, which wasn't necessarily a holy book, but it was a book that described the lifestyle and code of honor that Muhammad followed.

[Matt]

"Actually, there's a high population of Muslims in northern India. There's still a bit of conflict between the Muslims and the Hindis."

Which is why I brought up Islam at all.

"There is 1 line in Leviticus that discusses it"

There are multiple lines that discuss it. There's the whole story of Soddom and Gomorrah and in Leviticus there is 18:22 and 20:13.

This being said, not all Christians think that homosexuality is wrong. A good amount that do think it is wrong don't think it's any worse than any other sin.

The story of Soddom and Gomorrah is in the Qur'an as well.

[Randi]

Soddom and Gomorrah is misunderstood; it's not speaking out against homosexuality.
(excerpt from a paper I wrote:)
Several versions of the Bible have translated that the people surrounding the house were all men; however, an intensive study of the text by Holly Toensing (2005) has suggested that there were women within the crowd as well. Along with this, it may also be inferred from the fact that the people insisted on the men over the offering of the daughters that there was a homosexual drive in their demands. Toensing (2005) also touched on this subject with several suggestions: Lot would not have offered his daughters if he had thought the men of the city would not have found them appealing. Toensing (2005) went on to explain that Genesis 19:14 states that Lot’s daughters are betrothed; thus, the taking of their virginity would have brought shame unto the future husbands of these girls, which were considered men of the Sodom...The sins of this city were acts of lust, wrath, and inhospitality: the raping of visitors to the city. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is later mentioned again with Jude 6-7, in which the author states that the sexual perversion includes the men going after “strange flesh,” but Jude also reminded the audience of the time when angels lusted after humans. Accordingly, it could be interpreted as the “strange flesh” involved would be the flesh of the angels that was lusted for by the men (Myers & Scanzoni, 2005, p. 97)."