Delhi blog for gay rights
By Techgirl

I have a large circle of gay friends. Like many younger Indians, I am disgusted and horrified at how many of them are forced to live lives of fear and secrecy.  Hypocritical relatives shy away. Many are denied promotions as they do not fit into the conventional power structures.  We women can relate to some of these discriminations as we have been victims as well.

On the plus side, the consciousness of urban Indians is changing and there is more tolerance.  Tech companies like Infosys offer gay workers equal rights. Bollywood actresses Celina Jaitley has publicly campaigned for gay rights. Most Indians writers, painters and intellectuals abhor the persecution of any minority.  Above all, the decency of middle India is stirring to do the right thing.

Today, July 2, will go done as one of the landmark milestones for equality in our country.  The Delhi High Court has effectively decriminalized homosexuality by reading down the Indian laws that persecuted adult, gay relationships.

I smsed my congratulations to my gay friends and their replies were bubbling with joy.  Many souls are feeling more secure today.

A decade down the track, when Indians will laugh at the silly, pointless persecution of the gay community, they will also quietly thank many heterosexuals who fought the good fight for equal rights. Many politicians, intellectuals, lawyers and ordinary Indians will be thanked.  At least one Indian blogger makes it to such a list.

The Delhi Bloggers Bloc is one of the most successful blogging groups in India.  They have organized events attended by Wordpress founder Matt Mullenweg, American super journalists and VC Om Malik, and more recently Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor.

‘Twilight Fairy’ is one of the founders and driving forces of this Delhi Bloggers Bloc. She has been quietly campaigning for equal rights for more than a year. 

One June 27, 2009,  Twilight Fairy blogged:

“
Last year, I had posted about the First ever Delhi queer pride parade event. This year they are back again! As always, the event is open to straight people as well.

For us as Delhi’s bloggers here’s what we can do:
1. Support Delhi’s LGBT people. From the moral police stopping the screening of films like “Fire” we come down to supporting LGBT’s in the open.
2. Blog about it and spread awareness about it.
3. This would be a very interesting photo-op in every sense, from the documentation of this event to photographing it artistically, what with rainbow coloured masks.
“

Twilight Fairy, I feel like hugging you for the courage of your convictions.

Techgoss note:  Techgirl is a senior Tech journalist who reports on the IT, KPO and KPO Sectors for a leading media house.  In her spare time, she dabbles in satire in her blog http://techgirltalk.blogspot.com