September 6, 2018
In a landmark verdict announced this morning, the Supreme Court of India again struck down Section 377, a colonial-era law that criminalizes same-sex acts and makes them punishable by up to ten years in prison. This decriminalization of same-sex activity is being hailed as a huge step forward for LGBTI activists in India and many hope that it will continue to advance the burgeoning rights and inclusion of Indian LGBTI people.
“Today in India is the historical day where we celebrate the LGBTQI life and love with dignity,” said Simran Shaikh, Co-Founder of India’s Diverse Chamber of Commerce. “Today the Supreme Court of India has decriminalized same-sex behavior in India, which has opened up several doors and opportunities for Indian LGBTQI [people] to openly live their life with dignity, do their jobs with respect, and love [themselves] as love can be.”
NGLCC would like to congratulate the members of our affiliate chamber in India for their ongoing work in representing the LGBTI business community and support of LGBTI rights in India. The members of the Chamber, along with other LGBTI activists, have led the fight on the ground for increased LGBTI rights and inclusion in India, and we celebrate alongside them in this victory.
“We are honored to be fighting for LGBTI equality in the global business community alongside our friends and partners in India,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson. “Together with India’s Diverse Chamber of Commerce and thirteen other global LGBTI chambers, NGLCC signed onto a set of Guiding Principles at our annual International Business & Leadership Conference. This agreement brings our chambers closer together than ever before, and we are thrilled to celebrate this success with them.”
NGLCC Global looks forward to continuing to build on this success with India’s Diverse Chamber by working with them as the business voice of the LGBTI community and promoting LGBTI economic empowerment. Director of NGLCC Global Phil Crehan was part of the first-ever study that sought to quantify the social and economic costs of homophobia and transphobia that was referenced in the landmark decision. This study, which was used in the Writ Petition presented to India’s Supreme Court, showed that a government’s respect toward the rights and inclusion of LGBTI people is both the right thing to do, as well as the smart thing to do.
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ABOUT NGLCC
NGLCC is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses. NGLCC represents the interested of America’s 1.4 million LGBT business owners and the $1.7 trillion they add to the US economy annually.
NGLCC MEDIA CONTACT
Jonathan Lovitz
Senior Vice President, NGLCC
press@nglcc.org
@jdlovitz
202.499.3042
