The 5 Rights & Laws Of LGBTQ+ That Must Be Known

If a transvestite doesn’t say ‘I’m gay and I’m proud and I’m a transvestite,’ then nobody else is going to hop up there and say ‘I’m gay and I’m proud and I’m a transvestite’ for them.

Marsha P. Johnson

The LGBTQ+ community has long been marginalized and discriminated against in many parts of the world. Social stigmatization and legal discrimination have posed significant challenges for LGBTQ+ individuals, affecting their daily lives.

In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in recognizing and safeguarding LGBTQ+ rights, especially through legal and policy measures.

In this we aim to explore the laws and rights of the LGBTQ+ community, with a focus on the progress made in recent years.We’ll cover LGBTQ+ rights globally, exploring laws in the US, Europe, Asia, and policies safeguarding LGBTQ+ individuals.

We’ll explore challenges and limitations, especially in nations where the LGBTQ+ community confronts ongoing discrimination and legal obstacles.

The 5 Rights & Laws of  LGBTQ+ that must be known

1. Decriminalization of homosexuality

Decriminalization of homosexuality refers to the process of removing laws that criminalize same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults. Furthermore, Many countries, including India, inherited colonial-era laws criminalizing homosexuality, which persisted even as societal attitudes evolved.

In 1860, British colonial rule introduced Indian Penal Code Section 377, criminalizing homosexuality as ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature. This law remained in effect even after India gained independence in 1947, and it encompassed same-sex sexual activity.

In 2009, the Delhi High Court issued a groundbreaking ruling that declared Section 377 unconstitutional and revoked it. LGBTQ+ activists in India and worldwide celebrated this decision, but it was later overturned by the Supreme Court in 2013.

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In 2018, however, the Indian Supreme Court once again struck down Section 377 in a historic ruling. Also,The Court ruled that Section 377 violated the rights to equality and non-discrimination as per the Indian Constitution. They stated that consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults should not be criminalized. LGBTQ+ rights activists in India and worldwide widely celebrated this decision as a significant victory.

2. Right to Equality

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code was a colonial-era law that criminalized “carnal intercourse against the order of nature.” Thus, The section contained several provisions that criminalized different types of sexual activity, including homosexual acts.

Article 14 of Section 377 prescribed that anyone engaging in voluntary carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal would face punishment, including imprisonment for life or a term extending up to ten years, along with the possibility of a fine.

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Authorities used this provision to criminalize consensual sexual activity between same-sex adults and other activities considered “against the order of nature.”LGBTQ+ activists and allies criticized the provision for its discrimination and infringement on the rights to privacy, dignity, and equality.

In a historic ruling in 2018, the Indian Supreme Court struck down Section 377, declaring that it should not criminalize consensual sexual activity between adults, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This decision marked a significant triumph for LGBTQ+ rights in India and garnered widespread celebration among activists and allies globally.

According to Article 14, everyone has the right to receive equal treatment under the law. While it allows for distinctions between various groups of people, it also specifies that these distinctions must be based on discernible differences and must have a logical connection to the goal being pursued.

According to the Supreme Court, there is no discernible difference between individuals who participate in “carnal intercourse outside the order of nature” and those who allegedly engage in “natural” intercourse.

Leader’s Tip

To establish an inclusive workplace, educate yourself and your team about LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination issues.

3. Right against Discrimination

Article 15 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to non-discrimination on the basis of various factors, including religion, race, caste, sex, and place of birth.

However, the Indian Supreme Court did not extend this right to sexual orientation or gender identity until its landmark decision in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India in 2018.

Article 15 of the Indian Constitution ensures non-discrimination based on factors like religion, race, caste, sex, and place of birth. The law had a significant impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in India, leading to discrimination, harassment, and violence.

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In Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, the Supreme Court invalidated Section 377, citing violations of the right to equality and non-discrimination (Article 14) and the right to privacy (Article 21) in the Indian Constitution. The Court deemed the law discriminatory and acknowledged its detrimental impact on LGBTQ+ individuals’ fundamental rights.

The Court’s decision in Navtej Singh Johar was a pivotal win for LGBTQ+ rights in India, emphasizing non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Nevertheless, persistent discrimination in Indian society emphasizes the ongoing necessity to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Article 15 prohibits differential treatment by the State based on sex, religion, race, caste, or place of birth. Previous interpretations implied potential discrimination on unlisted grounds.

Ongoing Challenges: The Need for Continuous Protection

In the Navtej Johar Case, the Supreme Court departed from this constrictive perspective and declared that Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits any form of discrimination, whether direct or indirect, based on a particular perception of the function of sex.

Hence, the Supreme Court’s expansion of the forbidden grounds of discrimination under Article 15 to include sexual orientation resulted in the deeming of Section 377 as discriminatory under Article 15.

4. Article 19 of section 377 Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression

Article 19 of the Indian Constitution ensures freedom of speech and expression, allowing citizens to voice opinions, access information, and exchange ideas.

Prior to the 2018 Indian Supreme Court decision in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalized same-sex sexual activity. This effectively curtailed the freedom of expression for LGBTQ+ individuals, creating a chilling effect on their ability to openly express their identities and engage in discussions about their experiences.

In the Navtej Singh Johar case, the Supreme Court ruled that Section 377 infringed upon the right to equality and non-discrimination as per Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. Additionally, it violated the right to privacy under Article 21. The Court acknowledged that this law had a substantial adverse effect on the freedom of expression of LGBTQ+ individuals by restricting their ability to openly express their identities and engage in discussions about their experiences.

The Court’s decision was a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights in India, as it recognized the importance of freedom of expression and the right to express one’s sexual orientation and gender identity.

However, discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals continues to persist in many areas of Indian society, necessitating further efforts to safeguard the rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

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All citizens are granted the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19. The Supreme Court ruled that having sexual contact with another adult in a private setting without their knowledge does not violate morals or public decency in any way. As a result, Section 377 cannot be regarded as a legitimate limitation on a person’s right to free expression.

5. Right to Privacy

Article 21: Right to Privacy and the Legal Landscape

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty to all citizens.This includes the right to privacy, a right that the Indian Supreme Court has interpreted to encompass the right to make decisions about one’s own sexuality and sexual expression.

Prior to the 2018 decision of the Indian Supreme Court in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India, Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalized same-sex sexual activity, effectively infringing upon the right to privacy of LGBTQ+(Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning)  individuals.

The law criminalized consensual sexual activity between adults and exposed individuals to the risk of harassment, discrimination, and violence.

Article 21 safeguards life and personal freedom as fundamental rights. The Supreme Court has acknowledged the right to live in dignity, privacy, and autonomy over the years. Section 377 was found to violate certain fundamental rights by the Supreme Court.

Leader’s Tip

Promote LGBTQ+ rights within your company and back initiatives for inclusion and diversity.

Implications and Prospects: Beyond Section 377

This landmark decision ultimately, albeit somewhat belatedly, places India among the nearly 150 nations where homosexual behavior is permitted. This marks a long-awaited first step in recognizing LGBT rights in India by legalizing consensual adult same-sex activity.

It would be interesting to watch if lawmakers and judges move farther in recognising additional civil rights, such as the right to same-sex marriage and adoption, as well as the right against discrimination, notably in employment and housing. 42 nations permit same-sex couples to adopt children, and 46 nations recognise same-sex marriage.

Additionally, almost 100 nations have made efforts to avoid discrimination against the LGBT population in housing  and employment and have acknowledged the significance of substantive equality.

It is still unclear whether the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, will undergo changes to become a gender-neutral law, adding another intriguing perspective to this historic decision. While progressive Indian businesses have internal anti-sexual harassment policies that are gender-neutral, the law currently exclusively protects women who are the targets of sexual harassment at work.

Last but not least, even though the Supreme Court touched on the subject of civil rights briefly, the judgement only applies to Section 377.The entire nation is now watching in optimistic anticipation to see if the LGBT population will receive the same civil protections that other heterosexual people often enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Key Takeaways

• Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is abhorrent, and LGBTQ+ rights are human rights.
• Know the laws governing LGBTQ+ rights at the state and federal levels, and make sure your business complies.
• Promote allyship and open communication to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ people.