Who challenged Section 377 in India?
Asked by: Euna Collins | Last update: March 16, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (14 votes)
Section 377 in India was challenged by prominent LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations, notably in the landmark Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India case (2018), where dancer Navtej Johar, chef Ritu Dalmia, hotelier Aman Nath, journalist Sunil Mehra, and others petitioned the Supreme Court to decriminalize consensual same-sex relations, culminating in the law being struck down for adult consensual acts. The challenge built on earlier efforts, including the Naz Foundation petition in 2001, which first challenged the law in the Delhi High Court, leading to its initial reading down in 2009 before being overturned in 2013 and eventually decriminalized in 2018.
Who challenged article 377?
Five individuals from the LGBTQ communities (Navtej Singh Johar, Ritu Dalmia, Ayesha Kapur, Aman Nath and Sunil Mehra) filed a new writ petition challenging the constitutionality of Section 377.
Which Indian LGBTQIA+ activist is known for challenging Section 377 and advocating for equal rights?
In June 2016, Navtej and five others, all members of the LGBT community themselves, filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court of India challenging Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. This resulted in the 2018 landmark judgment in Navtej Singh Johar and others v.
Who decriminalized homosexuality in India?
In 2018, after decades of grassroots activism, the application of section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to private consensual sex between men was ruled unconstitutional by India's Supreme Court, effectively decriminalizing homosexual activity.
Who was Navtej Singh Johar?
Navtej Singh Johar (born 8 August 1959) is an Indian Sangeet Natak Akademi award-winning Bharatnatyam exponent and choreographer. He is also an LGBTQ activist.
All You Need To Know About Supreme Court Verdict On Section 377
What is the constitutional validity of Section 377 of the IPC?
The Supreme Court of India unanimously held that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which criminalized 'carnal intercourse against the order of nature', was unconstitutional in so far as it criminalized consensual sexual conduct between adults of the same sex.
Who is Navtej Sarna ambassador?
Navtej Sarna was India's Ambassador to the United States, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and Ambassador to Israel. He is a prolific columnist and commentator on foreign policy and literary matters, contributing regularly to media platforms in India and abroad.
Which country has the highest LGBT population?
There isn't one definitive answer for the country with the most LGBTQ+ people (absolute numbers) due to varied data, but countries like the Philippines, United States, and Israel often show high percentages of self-identified LGBTQ+ individuals, with around 11% in recent surveys, while Brazil, Canada, and the US also rank high for overall numbers or high identification rates. However, data varies by survey, with some showing higher shares in European nations like the Netherlands and Great Britain, and younger generations globally reporting higher identification.
Did Hinduism support LGBTQ?
The Hindu American Foundation, in its policy brief on Hindus and Homosexuality, notes that Hinduism does not provide a fundamental spiritual reason to reject or ostracize LGBTQ+ individuals, and that, “Given their inherent spiritual equality, Hindus should not socially ostracize LGBT individuals, but should accept them ...
Is homosexuality accepted in Indian culture?
Homosexuality in India has shown its presence in the traditional native philosophies of the nation, and legal rights continue to be advanced in mainstream politics and regional politics. Homosexual cohabitation is also legally permitted and comes with some legal protections and rights.
Is Karan Johar belong to LGBTQ?
Yes, Karan Johar is openly gay and has publicly discussed his sexual orientation. He has been vocal about his experiences and has been a prominent voice for gay themes in Indian cinema.
Does Priyanka Chopra support LGBTQ?
Yes, Priyanka Chopra has consistently shown support for the LGBTQ+ community through her statements, social media posts during Pride Month, and advocacy against discrimination, emphasizing love and individual freedom to be who you are. She has spoken out against India's discriminatory laws like Section 377 and celebrated LGBTQ+ figures, making her a vocal ally for queer rights globally.
Which organisation challenged the constitutionality of Section 377?
The movement to repeal Section 377 was led by the Naz Foundation (India) Trust, a non-governmental organization, which filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court in 2001, seeking legalisation of homosexual intercourse between consenting adults.
Who decriminalized homosexuality?
Via military occupation or emulation of the French criminal code, the Scandinavian countries, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Japan, and their colonies and territories—including much of Latin America—decriminalized homosexuality.
Who repealed 377A?
377A. In August 2022 the Prime Minister announced that the government would repeal s. 377A. Parliament then passed the relevant legislative amendment on 29 November 2022, formally decriminalising consensual same-sex conduct between males.
Who started the fight for LGBTQ rights?
The Society for Human Rights is founded by Henry Gerber in Chicago. The society is the first gay rights organization as well as the oldest documented in America. After receiving a charter from the state of Illinois, the society publishes the first American publication for homosexuals, Friendship and Freedom.
What religions don't support LGBTQ?
Many religions, including Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, conservative Protestant denominations (like Southern Baptists, some Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals), and Islam, generally do not support LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex sexual activity, viewing them as sinful or against religious doctrine, with views ranging from condemnation to exclusion. Other faiths like Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, and some traditional Hinduism and Buddhism perspectives also often discourage or prohibit LGBTQ+ practices, though interpretations vary widely within these faiths.
What does Krishna say about LGBTQ?
Hare Krishna views of homosexuality, and especially the view of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) towards LGBTQ issues, are similar to their views of heterosexual relationships, i.e. because the living entity is identifying with the body, any attraction based on the desire to gratify the body ...
Who is the goddess of LGBTQ?
Ishtar. Also known as Inanna in some interpretations of myth and history, the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar is often celebrated as a queer deity of empowerment for her link to gender fluidity and, in some stories and myths, nonbinary identity.
Is pansexuality the same as bisexuality?
No, pansexual and bisexual are not exactly the same, though they overlap: bisexuality is generally attraction to two or more genders (often same and other), while pansexuality means attraction to people regardless of gender (the prefix 'pan' means 'all'), but both fall under multisexuality, and many people use the terms interchangeably or identify with both. The key distinction for some is that pansexuality explicitly emphasizes that gender isn't a factor, whereas bisexuality might acknowledge gender in attraction, though both identities have always been inclusive of all genders, contrary to common myths.
What is the LGBT capital of the world?
It wasn't an accident that San Francisco became the LGBTQ+ capital of the world. We've always been a city where everyone is welcome, where boldness is rewarded, and where nothing is more valued than the freedom to express yourself.
What percent of the USA is LGBTQ?
Around 9-10% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ+, with recent Gallup polls showing figures around 9.3%, a significant increase from previous years, reflecting a growing trend of self-identification, especially among younger generations like Gen Z and Millennials. Bisexual is the largest single identity within the LGBTQ+ community, followed by gay, lesbian, and transgender, with increasing numbers also identifying as pansexual or queer.
What languages does Navtej Sarna speak?
Personal life. Ambassador Sarna speaks English, Hindi and Punjabi and also has knowledge of Russian and Polish. He is married to Dr. Avina Sarna and has one son and one daughter.
Who is Mridul Kumar ambassador of India?
Mridul Kumar, Indian Foreign Service (1992)
A career diplomat belonging to 1992-batch of Indian Foreign Service, Mridul Kumar is currently serving as Ambassador of India to Switzerland since 19 June 2023.