What’s law got to do with it?


The implications of decriminalising same-sex love transcend the immediate concerns of gay people

 The campaign to decriminalise same-sex relations has received high visibility with the release of writer Vikram Seth’s public letter demanding a “reading down” of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Co-signed by prominent citizens, the letter demands the reading-down of the “brutal law” that “punitively criminalises romantic love and private, consensual sexual acts between adults of the same sex” while being used to “systematically persecute, blackmail, arrest and terrorise sexual minorities.” In a separate statement supporting the open letter, economist Amartya Sen asks for the abolition of the “colonial era monstrosity” that runs contrary to “the enhancement of human freedom” and India’s commitment to “democracy and human rights.”

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Jerusalem Loses Battle to Ban Gay Pride Parade—Court-Ordered Date Set for November 10


JERUSALEM, Israel, - An ongoing battle over homosexual pride demonstrations in the city of Jerusalem came to an end today, after the controversial Gay Pride parade was rescheduled for November 10, the Jerusalem Post reported.

After talks lasting three hours between the Jerusalem Police, State Prosecution, the Jerusalem Municipality and homosexual activist groups, Jerusalem police agreed to provide security to the event.

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Moscow court rejects appeal against gay parade ban


MOSCOW, September 19 (RIA Novosti) - The Moscow City Court rejected Tuesday an appeal lodged by the organizers of a gay pride parade in May against a ban on the event, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported from the courtroom.

The Tverskoy district court issued a ruling against the parade, planned for May 27, a day before, upholding a ban imposed earlier by City Hall.