The issue of marriage equality has been a topic of significant discussion and debate in India. As the country progresses towards greater inclusivity and recognition of LGBTQ+ rights, the Su-preme Court of India has been called upon to examine the question of marriage equality.
In 2018, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark judgment in the Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India case, which decriminalized consensual same-sex relations and recognized the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. While the decriminalization of same-sex relationships was a crucial step towards LGBTQ+ rights, the issue of marriage equality remained unresolved.
Many of us who have followed the news closely are aware of what the various lawyers, as well as the other parties and governments, had to say for and against the argument; but what about the public? To bring things closer to home, I went out into DLF Phases and talked to various individuals to understand their take on marriage equality.
“It is basically just another step towards bringing down discrimination and providing all individuals with a right to love who they want, and chose them as a partner legally” Said P (20)
She further added that “it’s important for a marriage to be recognized legally, as that brings in a lot of spousal benefits, privileges, and basic access, which is important.”
This is true, as without a legally recognized marriage, a lot of “basic” things such as medical insurance, bank accounts, property, etc. cannot be in joint names, similar to that of a spousal relationship.
One old lady also said, “It is unnatural for marriage to be between anyone that is not a man and a woman, and I do not think messing with the processes of nature is ever a wise idea.”
Another individual shared that “even though I have no issues with it, I understand why some people might, since it is not something that has been seen or is a very visible part of the cultural and social setup. I believe that people should accept and support it the same way they did when the internet came into existence or when cinema went from silent black and white films to audible coloured films. It’s just another change in a world full of changes if it does not concern you, but the individuals who are concerned have a lot to gain with the legalization of marriage equality.”
Many of the individuals I talked to shared supportive and positive views towards marriage equality.
Some other individuals said that they would not personally like to be vested in the positive interest of the case, but it isn’t an issue for them either. This reflects that most of the people close to home, that’s in DLF residents believe that marriage equality is something that the people from the LGBTQIA+ communities deserve and it will bring them a lot of rights that have so far been denied, along with the dignity and respect that a legally recognised and protected relationship carries.
