'Growing Old. Hope To See Legal Stamp On Rainbow Marriages...' Parents Of LGBTQIA+ Members Write To CJI

As Supreme Court is hearing a batch of petitions regarding the legalisation of same-sex marriages in India, parents of LGBTQIA+ members have written an open letter to the CJI DY Chandrachud.

Parents of LGBTQIA+ members have written an open letter to CJI DY Chandrachud

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New Delhi: As Supreme Court is hearing a batch of petitions regarding the legalisation of same-sex marriages in India, parents of over 400 LGBTQIA+ members have written an open letter to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud appealing that a 'Marriage Equality' case be considered by the apex court. 

They have expressed their desire to see their children and children-in-law find legal acceptance in society for their relationship under the Special Marriages Act in India.

A five-judge Constitution bench, comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Ravindra Bhat, Hima Kohli, and PS Narasimha, started hearing the pleas seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage from April 18.

The parents, who are from a group called Sweekar - The RainbowParents, said in the letter, "From knowing about gender and sexuality, to understanding the lives of our children, to finally accepting their sexuality and their loved one - we have gone through the whole gamut of emotions. We empathise with those who are opposing Marriage Equality, because some of us were there too. It took us education, debate and patience with our LGBTQIA+ children to realise that their lives, their feelings and their desires are valid. Similarly, we hope that those who oppose Marriage Equality will come around too. We have faith in the people of India, the constitution and the democracy of our nation." 

Hailing Supreme Court for striking down section 377 that criminalized gay sex, the parents in the letter said, "The honourable Supreme Court of India read down section 377 to decriminalise consensual sexual relationships, and in doing so, with its statements, ascertained that our children should be treated with dignity and acceptance."

"Gender and Sexuality made it to election manifestos and corporate India has also begun opening up gradually to the idea of queer lives. Society is a changing an devolving phenomenon," it further stated.

The letter added, "We are growing old. Some of us will touch 80 soon. We hope that we get to see the legal stamp on the rainbow marriages of our children in our lifetime."