The Kairali theatre premises, the hub of all activity related to the 18th International Film Festival of Kerala, witnessed an impromptu march on Wednesday evening. A group of delegates, ‘IFFK Delegates for Sexual Rights,’ organised the march to express their disappointment over the Supreme Court judgment on reviving Section 377 — the law criminalising homosexuality.
Delegates joined the march that called for an acceptance of sexual diversity. They recalled the time when the Delhi High Court had deemed the provision as unconstitutional, offering hope to a largely closeted community.
Rekha Raj, a prominent Dalit and feminist activist based in Kottayam, said she was pleasantly surprised by the support that the march received. Unlike a few years ago, there was growing awareness of the issue and the need to promote individual freedoms.
“As activists working in this field, we are not disheartened and we will organise campaigns across the State against the judgement,” she said. Scattered groups in Kerala would have to coordinate with NGOs outside the State to more effectively drum up support, said A. Anil, an activist of city-based ‘Chilla.’
