Pride History and Laws

When did Pride start? When and where was the first Pride Parade held ?

Why is the rainbow associated with Pride? When was homosexuality legalized? What are the current laws for LGBTQAI+ community in India and across the world?

You may have wondered about some of these questions. 

In this post, we present to you some key facts on

 1. Stonewall Riots: One of the most important moments in the history of Pride is represented by the Stonewall riots that occurred in June 1969 in New York City. These riots were sparked by a series of police raids at the gay bar Stonewall Inn, and represent the turning point when the LGBTQAI+ community began to publicly fight against oppression and discrimination.

 2. First Pride Parade: The first Pride Parade was held the following year, in 1970, to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Pride marches have continued to grow and spread around the world as a symbol of unity and the reclamation of LGBTQAI+ rights. 

3. Rainbow Symbolism: The rainbow has become the universal symbol of Pride, representing the diversity and pride of the community. It was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978 and has since been adopted around the world as a symbol of unity and solidarity. 

4. Legislative Progress: Over the years, the Pride movement has helped achieve important legislative progress for LGBTQAI+ rights, such as marriage equality, laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and access to medical care. 

5. Celebration of diversity: In addition to being a political demonstration, Pride has also become a celebration of diversity and LGBTQAI+ pride with festivals, cultural events, performances and other activities celebrating the community around the world. Pride continues to evolve and grow, keeping alive the fight for equality and complete acceptance of the community around the world.

In India, laws affecting the community have undergone significant changes in recent years, including some landmark judgments that have changed the lives of the LGBTQAI+ community.

 Here are some of the notable ones.

1. Section 377 IPC: Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code was a colonial law that criminalized “unnatural” sexual intercourse, including same-sex intercourse. However, in 2018 the Supreme Court of India decriminalized homosexuality by declaring Section 377 unconstitutional. 

2. Rights of transgender people: In 2019, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision recognizing the rights of transgender people, including the right to self-identify gender without sexual reassignment surgery. The Court also ordered welfare measures to ensure equality of opportunities and protection of fundamental rights of transgender people.

 3. LGBTQAI+ Worker Rights: In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQAI+ workers are protected by employment discrimination laws. This decision expanded the rights of LGBTQAI+ workers in hiring, promotion and working conditions. 

4. Marriage equality: There is currently no federal law in India that allows marriage equality. However, some states have adopted laws allowing the recognition of civil unions or same-sex marriage. 

While there has been significant progress in protecting LGBTQAI+ rights in India, there is still much to be done to address discrimination and ensure de facto equality for all members of the LGBTQAI+ community.

Trans people continue to be marginalized and live in poverty, facing higher rates of unemployment, while also being denied access to quality healthcare because of conservatism and deep-rooted societal mindsets.

 Intersex persons are not protected from violations to physical integrity and bodily autonomy with cases of infanticide having been reported involving infants with obvious intersex conditions at birth.

Although same-sex civil unions are recognized, the recent ruling on same-sex marriage by the Supreme Court, deferring it to a parliamentary decision, has dashed the hopes of millions of LGBTQAI+ people seeking marriage equality.

This Pride Month, we hope that there comes a day where no law stops anyone from following their heart, and no stigma denies a person their basic right to live. We salute the long battle fought by the LGBTQAI+ community and their strength and persistence. Our hearts go out to those who face hate and violence simply for being who they are.

We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQAI+ people, and against queerphobia and hate. 

We stand for love.