Protests planned for Sunday against reinstatement of Indian gay sex ban

Dec 13 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

A protest is being organised for Sunday against this week’s shock ruling by the Indian Supreme Court to reinstate a ban on gay sex in the country.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court in India ruled to reinstate Section 377 of the penal code, which bans gay sex.

LGBT campaigners in India and around the world reacted with shock at the ruling.

The event, organised by photographer and gay rights campaigner Sunil Gupta, is being called the Global Day of Rage, and will protest against the reinstatement on Section 377.

Protest will take place on Sunday 15 December in Soho Square from 1pm, and will move to Old Compton Street for a march. The Facebook page notes that telvision crew, photographers, banners and flyers will be there.

The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said he is “personally saddened” that India’s Supreme Court has reinstated the ban.

Dr Purna Sen, former Head of Human Rights at the Commonwealth Secretariat and chair of the Kaleidoscope Trust, said: “The Supreme Court’s ruling is a terrible setback for the struggle to secure equal rights for LGBT people, not just in India, but in many of the Commonwealth countries that still enforce colonial era restrictions on the liberties of LGBT people.”

Other protests are to be consecutively held around the world.