Social movement - Essay Example

26 November Social Movement Hundreds of supporters of gay rights marched through India’s capital city to celebrate the decriminalization of homosexuality in India and the newly found freedom. Being a conservative country, homosexuality has historically been considered a crime in India for committing which, an individual was given 10 years of imprisonment as punishment. Few years ago, the Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality in India and the decision was heavily criticized by the conservative groups in India.

To make this decision, the court demanded the actual number of gays in India which was hard to ascertain since many gays in India tend to maintain their sexuality as a secret because homosexuality in the Indian culture is considered both immoral and unethical. The actual number of gays in India is much more than 2.5 million that is the officially recorded population of gays in India (“India’s gay rights”) since the gays inside the closet are excluded from this figure. The gay march was a wonderful opportunity for the gays both in and out of the closets in India since it not only provided them with a sense of identity and community, but also encouraged more of them to come out of the closet and declare their sexuality to their friends and family and be gays openly since it is no more a crime in India.

The gay march was strategically conducted to change the cultural perception that homosexuality is immoral or unethical. “While…many challenges lie ahead, …a cultural shift is occurring and the 2009 ruling paved the way” (“Indias gay rights”).Works Cited:“Indias gay rights movement makes its voice heard in New Delhi.” Radio Australia. 26 Nov. 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. .