Transgenders, eunuchs demand repeal of section 377

People from the sex minority community of transgenders, gays and eunuchs Thursday complained about the insensitivity of society and harassment from the police and demanded that section 377 of the Indian Penal Code should be repealed.

Seven people from the sexual minority community narrated their issues and concerns at an event organised by non-government organisations here to mark the anniversary of the judgment on section 377.

The section was declared unconstitutional with respect to sex between consenting adults by the High Court of Delhi on July 2, 2009. That judgment was overturned by the Supreme Court of India on Dec 12, 2013, with the apex court holding that amending or repealing Section 377 should be a matter left to Parliament, not the judiciary.

The members of LGBT community (Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) narrated instances of sexual assault and rude behaviour and also talked about problems faced by them. They also demanded that laws should be such that they do not suffer any discrimination.

Rudrani, an eunuch, said she had gone to Shimla last year to celebrate New Year when some anti-social elements harassed her.

"I thought I must report the incident to the police. This, I believed, I was doing as an Indian citizen. But as I reported the matter to the local police, they refused to register an FIR and instead made us sit in the police station for a long time," she said.

Most of the testimonies talked about such police behaviour.

Kiran, another eunuch, said: "I was picked up by police from my home without informing what my fault was and raped all through the night."

A transgender, without identifying himself, said: "When I approached police for help, they made fun of me, called me names and used abusive language."

"I told them that I was sexually assaulted. Instead of helping me, he started blaming me," he said.

"As the police were yet to register my complaint, I went to a doctor. He, too, started abusing me asking all sorts of questions and even asking me to show the place where I was hurt," he alleged.

"I told the doctor not to touch my private parts but he did not listen and angrily asked me to spread my legs," he said with tears in his eyes.

"It's about our life... sexual assaults on us must be seen in same manner as they are in case of a woman," said a eunuch, who did not want to be identified.

She said that section 377 should be repealed.

Social observers and representatives from NGOs also expressed serious concerns over problems faced by people in sexual minority.

J.D. Seelam, Congress MP who was present on the occasion, said the ordeals of LGBT community were "horrifying" and most people were not even aware about it.

"I think people are not aware what all they (LGBT) go through and we need to build consensus and take more and more people along to create a movement for it," he said.

He favoured demands for repealing section 377, which criminalises sex among homosexuals.