Reaction in the United States to India’s Supreme Court ruling outlawing gay sex has largely been negative, reports the Indian Express.
The ruling reinstates section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, a ban on homosexual sex.
“The ruling is a setback,” said Sapna Pandya, president of Khush DC, an organization of South Asian gays. “But it doesn’t take away from the fact that the recent past has seen promise for LGBTQ rights in not just India, but also other South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal,” she said.
The US State Department also reacted swiftly to the ruling.
“We obviously don’t make decisions on behalf of other governments and their legislation. So I expressed our deep concern about any efforts around the world to not recognize that LGBT rights are human rights, and that’s a message we’ll continue to convey.” said State Department Spokesman Jen Psaki.
All Out, an LGBT group which claims a membership of one million, called the ruling a “sad day.”
“No one should have to go to jail because of who they are or who they love. We stand in solidarity with India’s human rights community,” said Joe Mirabella.
You can read about US efforts to reach out to India about the ruling in the Indian Express.
