By Veena Sethuraman
On 11th March, Friday, as I was checking my mails and Facebook updates, I came across this mail from Change.org. A generic mail which said…rather asked me, to start a petition. And the content said “Would you giggle like a 7-year-old when you hear the term “homosexuality? That’s what parliamentarians did today when Shashi Tharoor presented the bill on Sec 377”.
I couldn’t believe what I read. I couldn’t believe that the hope of so many people can be beautifully and senselessly crushed by some people who do not even comprehend the impact of the issue.
So, I started a petition.
To let them know that it is nothing to laugh at. And every time the bill gets rejected, we will ensure to make our voice heard even louder.
See my petition here.
What I didn’t realize at that time was, it is not just the parliamentarians who are ignorant and care less.
In the last 3 days of starting the petition, I have learnt the following based on my experiences and interactions with people (LGBTQ and Non-LGBTQ).
- Most of the non-LGBTQs (to use a layman language) don’t care. Sec 377? What does it mean? So what if its criminalized? How does it affect us?
- A very common question I am asked is – Why would you want to support LGBTQ, if you are not a LGBTQ? How does it affect you? If it doesn’t affect you, why would you need to “invite” trouble?
- LGBTQs are losing hope. I see a lot of posts by them expressing their sadness and disappointment. But, what concerns me is not that the bill is rejected. But people are losing hope. If Shashi Tharoor expresses his disappointment saying “I am not going to present this bill any more’, it is his stand. It is not a conclusive statement on the possibilities in the future.
- Non LGBTQ people cringe with embarrassment at the mention of homosexuality. We do not handle the conversations like “adults”. When the world around is awakened long back to the reality called “grey side”, we still like to see the world as “black” and “white”.
This blog is my perspective based on my experiences.
But, the invitation is to really call out for support from all heterosexuals to stand with the LGBTQ community to let them know that we care. To let them know that they belong to our society. This protest has to become a revolution. A mainstream revolution for the needs of the LGBTQ to be seen and heard. So, if you care, please do sign and share this petition.
Well, the bigger problem is….
We care only if we get affected. Period.