Many of us have been a part of the LGBT battle for decades now. Some of us shudder at the idea while others stand with them and fight for a country where love is accepted in all forms. The issue of same sex marriages has been under the scanner for quite some time. While certain governments feel that it is ‘unnatural’ there are some countries like ours that have also gone to the extent of making gay sex a punishable crime.
Amidst of this attitude and the many legal barriers, Ireland made history by allowing its citizens to have a say. Putting to vote the issue of same sex marriages, it was up to them to vote for or against the issue of same sex marriages.
A collective cheer broke out when officer, Riona Ni Fhlanghaile announced to the waiting crowds that the ballot has passed 1,201,607 votes to 734,300. And we couldn’t help give out a cheer ourselves. Maybe a decade ago, such a vote would have been unthinkable. Ireland decriminalised homosexuality only in 1993 and since then the LGBT community is fighting a war against the church to change attitudes and spread acceptance. “Today Ireland made history,” Prime Minister Enda Kenny said at a news conference. “This decision makes every citizen equal and I believe it will strengthen the institution of marriage,” he added.
Ireland adds itself to a list of 19 other nations (and 37 American states) that have legalised same-sex marriages. India, along with most Asian countries, remains firmly on the other side. In 2009, the LGBT community in the country saw some hope with Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code allowing same sex relationships. However, the Supreme Court was quick to overrule the Delhi High Court verdict, making gay sex a criminal offence again.
What’s surprising is the fact that we insist on holding on to a law passed by the Britishers in the first place. The 150-year-old colonial law sees no changes despite Indians and the government at large doing their best to remove all traces of the earlier British law in the country. Why hold on to a law that is not even ours? With the recent acceptance of transgenders in India we really hope that we are set for a change, both in laws and attitudes.
Till then, three cheers for Ireland!
Image courtesy: Reuters
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