What Is Sec 377 IPC?
Sec 377 of the Indian Penal Code states: “Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation: Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described.” Passed in 1860, the law criminalizes sexual activity between consenting adults in private, thereby violating the fundamental and human rights of thousands of Indian citizens and legitimizing, in the eyes of the law and society, discrimination, violence, and social prejudice against gay, lesbian, bisexual, hijra communities, and other sexual minorities. What Impact Does Sec 377 Have on the Lives of Sexual Minorities in India? Sec 377 has become the sword that hangs over the lives of all sexual minorities in this country. It not only prevents sexual minorities from being able
