Shillong LGBT community celebrates SC verdict on Sec 377

Shillong: The landmark verdict by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court on the controversial case against Section 377 of IPC was welcomed by the LGBT community in Shillong earlier this month.

In the judgment, the SC decriminalised gay sex and struck down parts of Section 377.

The LGBT community in Shillong also joined the celebrations as they danced, recited poems and chanted slogans at the Don Bosco Square in Laitumkrah last week. The public celebrations, first of its kind in a Christian majority Shillong, even left the organisers surprised.

"We never thought so many people would join us," says LGBT community leader Donna Marwein.

Although a last-minute change in the venue left some supporters confused, several people joined the rally holding posters with slogans like 'protect gay teens' and 'god loves everyone'.

National award-winning director and poet Tarun Bhartiya also expressed his solidarity and joined the celebrations. He also explained how the judgment would be effective in "making lives better for a whole section of the community".

"Humanity is above all religion and I hope that the society will also accept this judgment with open arms now," said Jack Lyngwa, an LGBT activist.

However, there was opposition from some corners with a few of them slamming the celebrations and the verdict on social media.