Several people from the LGBT community gathered at the Indian Community Welfare Organisation office in Anna Nagar on Tuesday to pay homage to the victims of the shooting at a gay night club in Orlando.
Activists said that as long as section 377 of the IPC is in place in India, their survival continues to be threatened. “We are nothing but a bunch of criminals in our own country,” said S. Srinivasan, a social worker.
Kamal, another social worker, said, “Fundamentalist principles breed nothing but violence. The Orlando massacre is an example. We have feelings and seek companionship just like others. We do not want to be criminalised for our sexual orientation,” he added. Members of NGOs like Nirangal and Orinam too have expressed their concern. “This is nothing but a hate crime against the LGBT community,” said Siva from Nirangal.
