In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of India has decriminalised homosexuality.
The Supreme Court of India has struck down a colonial-era law which criminalized consensual gay sex, thus overturning more than 150 years of anti-LGBT legislation.
The ruling was met with cheers while some campaigners broke down into tears. Members of the LGBT community, activists and others from across the country have been sharing images of celebration and joy online.
Section 377 was an archaic law imposed during the British rule that penalized intercourse “against the order of nature,” and carried a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The decision to repeal the law is a major victory for India’s LGBT activists and supporters after years of determined struggle.
“History owes apology to the LGBT community. They were made to live a life full of fear,” the Supreme Court said in a statement.
Anand Grover, one of the main lawyers in the case, told reporters outside the court that the judgement “should be publicised in every nook and corner of India”.
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