India Legalizes Gay Sex

Congratulations, LGBTQ ilk of India, you are now free to engage in acts of same-sex sex at your leisure. You see, an Indian court just turned a 148-year-old, colonial-era law that "declared gay sex an 'unnatural offense' and made it punishable by up to 10 years in jail," the BBC reports. The court ruled that the 150-year statute violated the rights of citizens by criminalizing consensual acts. India's gay rights campaigners hailed the decision as 'India's Stonewall,' but warned that gays still face widespread persecution." Exactly like the state of California, people in India "regard same-sex relationships as illegitimate." Also, much like the state of California should know, international human rights groups "have long argued that the law contravened human rights." Ashok Row Kavi, editor of India's first gay magazine, tells the BBC, "The social stigma will remain. It is [still] a long struggle. But the ruling will help in HIV prevention. Gay men can now visit doctors and talk about their problems. It will help in preventing harassment at police stations." So, have at it, queer folk of India. (Protip: It only hurts the first few times, gentlemen.) UPDATE: This applies to New Delhi, not the rest of India. Alas.