September 6, 2018—The Supreme Court reads down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, decriminalising homosexuality in India. Through the next 12 episodes, we’re going to examine the long journey behind the case and learn a bit about how our legal system works.

Why is this case so important and what impact has it had on the rights of LGBTQIA+ Indians? What was at stake, and where did the battle even begin?

In the mid-90s, Anjali Gopalan learns that her work fighting HIV/AIDS and supporting human rights is coming up against a law—Section 377. She is trying to get medical attention to people at risk, but the police see her as enabling illegal activity. She realises the only way forward is to go to court and change the law.

Show Notes

All clips and voices used in this podcast are owned by the original creators.

The following guests appeared in this episode:

• Anjali Gopalan, Naz Foundation India Trust
• Ritu Dalmia, chef and restaurateur
• Anand Grover, Founding lawyer, Lawyers’ Collective

References

• BBC News video clip of September 6, 2018 ruling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HncUoS1OvuE
• NDTV news clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V19qcDGymDQ&t=166s
• ET Now clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=226&v=8_pih6BTCmw&feature=youtu.be
• Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech, courtesy of Xplorer India: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrEkYscgbqE
• India Today’s ‘Gay Cure Racket’ exclusive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVzGxEjO6bQ
• NewsX clip featuring Baba Ramdev: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ61Jc5ibZ0
• Satyamev Jayate episode featuring Gautam Bhatia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIUQJN1B0aQ
• ‘How the AIDS crisis changed the LGBT movement’, by NBC News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=99&v=zC1e9Zrb7cI&feature=youtu.be
• Dr. Anthony Fauci on HIV/AIDS (1984), courtesy of the National Library of Medicine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1187&v=pzK3dg59TuY&feature=youtu.be