Homosexuality has been a controversial issue in the legal history as well as the religious doctrines. With all the major religions calling homosexuality as unnatural and condemning it, the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) group has been denied the basic human rights for a long time.
Position in India
Recently the members of the 'hingra' group did a dance protesting against the non inclusion of their names in the voters list. Members of this community have had a problem with their being no place to write their sex in traditional forms that mention male and female but not the third sex.
Another issue is the criminalization of homosexual relations. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code makes consensual same sex relations punishable along with the relations with animals or bestiality. The Delhi High Court in 2009 ruled that the part of Section 377 dealing with consensual homosexual relations is void being violative of Articles 14,15 and 21, however, the said judgement was overruled by the Supreme Court in 2013 stating that it is not unconstitutional and only the legislature has the right to amend it.
Position in the USA
In the USA, various organizations like the Human Rights Campaign are fighting for the gay rights and marriage equality. While some American states have given freedom of marriage to same sex couples, others have banned it. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that every individual has a right to marry and found a family. Many regions in America with more traditionalist population actually fights against the basic human rights of the gay community.
Homosexuality: scientifically
Homosexuality is not a state of mind or unnatural act as stated by its opponents. Medically it is said to be caused by not one but a combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. Doctors do not consider homosexuality to be caused as a result of psychological factors and influences. Scientists do not know why the process of natural selection has not wiped it off, thinking that maybe it gives some advantage to the heterosexual individuals.
Every human being has a right to exercise his basic human rights irrespective of his sexual orientation. To deny the gay community of its basic rights would be inhuman.
Position in India
Recently the members of the 'hingra' group did a dance protesting against the non inclusion of their names in the voters list. Members of this community have had a problem with their being no place to write their sex in traditional forms that mention male and female but not the third sex.
Another issue is the criminalization of homosexual relations. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code makes consensual same sex relations punishable along with the relations with animals or bestiality. The Delhi High Court in 2009 ruled that the part of Section 377 dealing with consensual homosexual relations is void being violative of Articles 14,15 and 21, however, the said judgement was overruled by the Supreme Court in 2013 stating that it is not unconstitutional and only the legislature has the right to amend it.
Position in the USA
In the USA, various organizations like the Human Rights Campaign are fighting for the gay rights and marriage equality. While some American states have given freedom of marriage to same sex couples, others have banned it. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that every individual has a right to marry and found a family. Many regions in America with more traditionalist population actually fights against the basic human rights of the gay community.
Homosexuality: scientifically
Homosexuality is not a state of mind or unnatural act as stated by its opponents. Medically it is said to be caused by not one but a combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. Doctors do not consider homosexuality to be caused as a result of psychological factors and influences. Scientists do not know why the process of natural selection has not wiped it off, thinking that maybe it gives some advantage to the heterosexual individuals.
Every human being has a right to exercise his basic human rights irrespective of his sexual orientation. To deny the gay community of its basic rights would be inhuman.
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