“India Needs To Step Up”: Post Orlando, Diplomats In India Speak Up Against Sec. 377

By Cake Staff:

In the aftermath of the recent shooting at Orlando, which targeted a gay nightclub and left nearly 50 people dead, the diplomatic missions of over 27 countries situated in India have sent out a statement to reiterate their commitment for equal rights, including those of the LGBTQ community.

The embassies that took a stand not only belonged to western countries like the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Canada (and so on), but also a large number of non-western countries, like Chile, Colombia, Coasta Rica, Bazil, Japan, Ecuador (and so on). This goes on to show how deeply the entire world has been affected by the events in Orlando, and how much it has reinforced the need for LGBTQ rights.

“At home, and increasingly abroad, many countries support, organize, or participate in events to celebrate the diversity of their citizens, to reduce discrimination and misinformation about the LGBTI community, to build on individual and collective achievements, and to highlight what needs to be done to ensure fundamental human dignity of all individuals and full equality for all human beings regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” read the statement.

Since June is International Pride Month — a month where queer communities worldwide celebrate their history and culture — having this pro-LGBTQ statement issued from high diplomatic authorities is truly heartwarming. In a country like India, which continues to criminalize same-sex love under section 377 of its penal code, more official statements from high-ranked authorities such as these are sorely needed. “Look at Orlando, the amount of homophobia around us is alarming. India needs to step up, we are an embarrassment in the global scene,” a prominent member of the Delhi Queer Pride Committee told DNA India.

Whether or not this will actually put any pressure on the Indian legislation to amend Section 377, only time will tell, but the very fact that these embassies are coming forward in solidarity and trying to spread messages of acceptance is extremely significant. Instead of offering hollow ‘thoughts and prayers’ to Orlando victims, perhaps our legislators should be focusing on statements such as these.