From Celina to Raveena: Bollywood comes out in support of gay rights | Bollywood - Hindustan Times
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From Celina to Raveena: Bollywood comes out in support of gay rights

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Feb 03, 2016 06:18 PM IST

Opinion makers from all walks of life like Hansal Mehta, Raveena Tandon, Celina Jaitly and Onir bat for Supreme Court’s referral that may just legalise homosexuality in India.

The Supreme Court’s decision to refer the curative petition on article 377, which seeks to legalise gay sex, to the five-judge bench, has opened a window of hope for many in the country. Several gay rights activists have been a part of the 15-year-long battle aimed at getting rid of the archaic law that deems homosexuality a crime.

Celina Jaitly is optimistic about the way things are headed.
Celina Jaitly is optimistic about the way things are headed.

Read: Section 377 traumatises and abuses LGBTs in India: Celina Jaitly

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And Bollywood celebrities are all in support of the law being changed in favour of homosexuals. Filmmaker Onir, who is among the few openly gay directors in Bollywood, says, “Now hopefully the five-judge constitution bench will take the decision in our favour. And this law should have been scrapped the day the Britishers left India. So hopefully, the 2009 verdict of the Delhi Court, that decriminalised gay sex among consenting adults, will be back soon.”

I stand by my gay friends, says Raveena Tandon.
I stand by my gay friends, says Raveena Tandon.

Delhi-based fashion designer Suneet Varma, who who is married to partner Rahul Arora, says, “I am hopeful and positive that the five-judge constitution bench will scrap section 377 and make this country a better place for us to live.”

Read: Here’s why it’s ok to show Aligarh to your teenage children

National Award-winning filmmaker Apurva Asrani, who has also edited Hansal Mehta’s next, that is based on the life of a gay man, says, “The Supreme Court has allowed itself a chance to redeem itself from a blemish on its otherwise spotless image.” Actor Raveena Tandon adds, “This (homosexuality) has been accepted even in our Hindu scriptures. I stand by my gay friends.” Actor Celina Jaitley, who is now a gay rights activist, says, “Today’s decision is a great step. However, I think a disparity that can easily be addressed by amending the Indian Penal Code shouldn’t have to be a 15-year-long struggle!”

Read: I’m a criminal, I’ve had oral sex: Hansal Mehta

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