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In keeping with its mission and long-term goals, TARSHI has developed
initiatives and activities to raise awareness of sexuality and rights
issues through public events, publications, campaigns and sessions in
schools and colleges.
TARSHI has conducted various public education and advocacy activities in
partnership with other NGOs to create a broader public understanding
about women?s rights, sexuality, gender and violence. TARSHI has held a
stall at Dilli Haat as a part of the popular annual fair, Nature Bazaar
for nine years since 1997. TARSHI has also participated and organized
events around the International Women?s Day, International AIDS day, and
the International Campaign to Stop Violence against Women and Girls.
TARSHI has been actively involved in the Campaign for Lesbian Rights
(1998) and Voices Against 377.
Section 377 Case Developments
Anti-Gay Law Blame on Raj
The Telegraph - New Delhi, India, 3/23/2012
The Centre today told the Supreme Court the criminalisation of gay sex had been ?imposed? on Indian
society by the British colonial rulers, effectively arguing that homosexuality offended Victorian and not Indian values.
Attorney-general G.E. Vahanvati was expressing the Centre?s stand on private bodies? appeals against a Delhi High Court
judgment that has taken all private and adult consensual sex out of the ambit of an 1860 law that criminalised sex
?against the order of nature?. The statement came a day after the government, rapped by the top court for refusing to take a
clear stand for months, eventually clarified that it supported the high court judgment and would not appeal against it.
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Liberate us From the Stigma, Gay Rights Activists to Supreme Court
The Hindu - New Delhi, India, 3/15/2012
Homosexuality is not a mental and psychological disorder and it is a normal form of sexuality, gay rights
activists argued before the Supreme Court on Thursday while pleading for decriminalisation of gay sex. ?Homosexuality is a normal
form of sexuality. It is simply a normal variant of sexuality. It is not a mental and psychological disorder. Many gay and lesbian
people are even raising children? senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for one of the gay rights organisation, said. He further submitted
that recently United Nations Human Rights Commissioner has placed his report before U.N. Assembly recommending the quashing of all such legal
provisions which criminalise homosexuality.
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?25 Lakh Gays in India, 7 Pc are HIV-Positive?
The Indian Express - New Delhi, India, 3/14/2012
The Centre told the Supreme Court that there were around 25 lakh homosexuals in the country of which 1.75 lakh - seven per cent
- were HIV-infected. The affidavit cites the figures of the National Aids Control programme. During resumed hearing on the controversial issue
of decriminalising same-sex relations, the Bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi told Additional Solicitor General Mohan Jain that the earlier
?carefully-worded? affidavit filed by the Union Home Ministry did not say if the Cabinet had accepted the Delhi High Court reading down portions
of Section 377, which criminalises sexual relations between members of the same sex.
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Love?s Death
The Telegraph - Calcutta, India, 2/27/2012
The government lawyer, P.P. Malhotra, has enabled Indians to view homosexuality in an entirely new light. While arguing
in the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court verdict that had decriminalized consensual sexual acts between adults in 2009, he declared with
gusto, ?HIV causes homosexuality and I will prove it.? Does he mean that if a person has the misfortune to be affected by the dangerous virus,
his sexual orientation changes, and he suddenly starts looking for lovers of the same sex? Surely, not many would credit AIDS with the power
of bringing about such an astounding change in a person?s mental make-up. Ridiculous as it is, Mr Malhotra?s statement in court serves as a lesson
on what people may do or say when pushed to a corner.
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SC Seeks Global Data on Gay Sex Laws
Deccan Herald - New Delhi, India, 2/22/2012
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought to ?broaden the canvass? on decriminalization of gay sex by asking for information
on legal provisions on the matter in other countries. A bench of justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhyaya asked senior counsel Amrendra Sharan
to furnish the details on the laws on gay sex in other countries. ?How many countries are there where there is such provision (as Section 377 o
f the IPC)? Have you got the number of cases filed under Section 377 IPC in the country and how many cases lead to harassment of a particular
class (gay community),? the bench asked. The bench said that its verdict would have impact on other provisions of the IPC and on other laws.
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What Is ?Order of Nature? in Age of Test Tube Babies: SC
Hindustan Times - New Delhi, India, 2/16/2012
?Who is the expert to define the term `order of nature`, more so in relation to carnal intercourse? Meaning of words has never been
constant. Test-tube babies, surrogate mothers - are they in the order of nature?? said a bench of Justice GS Singhvi and Justice SJ Mukopadhya. The bench
was hearing a batch of 16 appeals challenging the July 2009 Delhi HC verdict legalising homosexual acts amongst consenting adults in private. The 150-year-old
Section 377 of the IPC states a person having carnal intercourse with a man; woman or an animal against the order of nature would be a crime.
?In changing times can the meaning of the term (order of nature) remain what it was in 1860?? the court asked.
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In Defense of Their Gay Children, 19 Parents go to SC
Indian Express - New Delhi, India, 02/09/11
Nineteen parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have come together in the Supreme Court to stop the State from
criminalising their children. Their argument chiefly is they know their children the best. Lending them support is film director Shyam Benegal, pitching in as intervener the State from criminalising their children. in the Supreme Court in the battle to sustain the 2009 Delhi High Court verdict decriminalising sex between consenting adults of the same sex.
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SC Dismisses Plea to Implead Armed Forces on Homosexuality
Hindustan Times - New Delhi, India, 02/07/11
Around 15 individuals and organisations from different fields have approached
the apex court supporting or opposing the path-breaking verdict of 2009 which decriminalised homosexual acts between
consenting adults in private. One petitioner submitted that it is imperative to hear the stand of the Defence Forces
as the Army chief had openly expressed his opinion against homosexual behaviour and had said that such behaviour
would not be allowed in the forces. However, the bench of justices, G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly dismissed the plea
by Suresh Kumar Koushal, a city astrologer. The court said it would allow all other parties who have approached the
court to present their case as the issue is important and fixed the matter for further hearing to April 19.
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As a part of an on-going outreach program we are constantly reaching out
on important social issues through art, theatre, films, workshops,
publications and the print and electronic media. TARSHI has also
conducted programs in schools, colleges and other institutions in an
effort to create open spaces that facilitate training, learning,
discussion and sharing amongst administrators and young people alike.
In addition to disseminating sexuality information through books and
pamphlets in English and Hindi, posters, games, and message T-shirts,
TARSHI has collaborated with Delhi-based organisations to host Opinion
Polls on issues related to sexuality education for young people, rights
of people living with HIV/AIDS, sexuality concerns of people with
disabilities etc. |
