The following people and organizations are featured in our Hall of Fame for their commitment, work and support as allies of the LGBT community. Please send your nominations to orinamwebber@gmail.com
- Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, reader and chairman of Modern Indian Languages Department was fired by Aligarh Muslim university for having consensual sex with a rickshaw-puller at his home. Dr.Siras stood up against the university and decided to legally challenge AMU’s decision. Unfortunately he did not live long after the Allahabad High Court ruled in his favour. We lament the loss of Prof. Siras and countless other citizens, and call for an immediate end to violence, harassment and persecution of LGBT people by educational institutions, employers, law enforcement, religious institutions, and the public.
- Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Muralidhar made history with their July 2nd Judgment which officially kick started the LGBT movement in India.”We declare Section 377 of IPC in so far as it criminalizes consensual sexual acts of adults in private is violative of Articles 14, 21 and 15 of the Constitution”. They quoted Jawharlal Nehru’s vision of inclusiveness
“If there is one constitutional tenet that can be said to be underlying theme of the Indian Constitution, it is that of ‘inclusiveness’. Those perceived by the majority as ‘deviants’ or ‘different’ are not on that score excluded or ostracized. Where society can display inclusiveness and understanding, such persons can be assured of a life of dignity and non-discrimination.This was the ’spirit behind the Resolution’ of which Nehru spoke so passionately” - Anjali Gopalan & Team, Naz Foundation The movement to repeal Section 377 was led by the Naz Foundation, India. In September 2001, Naz filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to challenge section 377 of the Indian Penal Code in the Delhi High Court. After a long eight-year battle on July 2nd, 2009 Section 377 was read down by the Delhi high court.
- Voice against 377 articulated a united voice against Section 377 and played a major role in creating a consensus across advocacy groups and mobilizing support. Voices released several open letters from 2006 to 2009 , signed by eminent personalities from India, which were highly instrumental in gaining visibility and public support for the issue.
- Anbumani Ramadoss Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss is considered a champion of gay rights, for his bold stand on Section 377, “Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalizes men who have sex with men, must go”.
During his term, Ramadoss remained committed to decriminalizing homosexuality even though it meant going against his cabinet colleagues. - Celina Jaitley – When it comes to Gay rights and speaking up for the gay community no bollywood personality come close to Celina. She understands the issues, concerns and struggles of the community and is very passionate and vocal about gay rights. After the 377 judgment she appeared on almost every TV Show/Debate and countered the backlash effectively.
July 8, 2010: While we are appreciative of Celina Jaitley’s support to the gay, lesbian and transgender communities, we are deeply disappointed by her biphobia, as indicated in this Filmfare interview. We hope she will make the effort to educate herself on the diversity of sexual orientation. - NDTV / NDTV Hindu – NDTV Channels extensively cover all the news related to the LGBT community and their talk show hosts are passionate and unapologetic about their support to the community.
- The New Indian Express and The Times of India newspapers for their continued clear and committed coverage and support of the LGBT issues on a regular basis.
- Magdalene Jeyarathnam, Center for Counselling- Magdalene is one of the very few counselors from Chennai who offers services to the LGBT community. She is a strong supporter and advocate of LGBT rights. Magdalene is very committed and takes every opportunity to fight LGBT phobia. Be it Church gatherings, religious seminars, TV talk shows, newspaper/magazine articles, Magdalene’s voice as a straight ally makes a huge difference.
- Dr. KS Jacob – “Physicians should provide medical service with compassion and respect for human dignity for all people irrespective of their sexual orientation.” – Dr. KS Jacob, Psychiatry Department, Christian Medical College, Vellore. Professor Jacob is a strong ally and quite outspoken about his pro-LGBT stance, most notably in a guest editorial in the Hindu ‘Homosexuality, medicine and psychiatry’ following the 377 decision. Read more here. Professor Jacob is one of the earliest signatories on the Campaign for Open Minds
- Dr. George Zachariah – “We must reexamine our understanding of sin in the light of the Lutheran doctrine of being both sinner and justified by grace in order to avoid any judgmental tendency” – Dr. George Zachariah, Associate Professor in the field of theology and ethics at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, Chennai. His theological and ethical reflections, including his urging of churches to embrace LGBT members of their congregation are informed by his involvement in social justice movements. His position paper for the Lutheran church August 28, 2009, colloquium on LGBT issues is a masterpiece
(Quotes gathered from rediff.com,NDTV,the Hindu, Indian express and other email archives)
