LGBT activists in India have failed once again to make gay sex legal in the country.
National Congress MP Shashi Tharoor fought hard for a bill that would remove the colonial era law, but politicians voted again the bill that would decriminalize homosexuality.
This is the second time politicians have voted to keep Section 377, which was reinstated by the Supreme Court in 2013.
The private members bill was defeated by a vote of 58 to 14, with one abstaining.
Writing on Twitter, Shashi said:
Bitter disappointment as my attempt to introduce my bill to amend Section 377 defeated again. Several MPs who’s promised to vote in favour absent.
So bigotry and homophobia on the BJP side met indifference and prejudice on the opposition’s. Will have to leave it to the Supreme Court to revolve.
Since I had no opportunity to speak on 377, I took the opportunity of a speech on the Transgender Rights Bill to make the broader argument.
Indian culture and history reveal no intolerance of sexual difference or orientation and embrace the ardhanarishvara. BJP prefers British colonial law.”
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