Kerala church won't allow gay sex to be legalised

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference (KCBC) on Thursday said it would oppose legalisation of gay sex after the Delhi High Court struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that termed homosexuality a criminal act.

"This (homosexuality) is against the Indian culture. We will oppose it and since our country is a democratic one, there is no way that this can be legalised through legislation. The church's views will have to be sought," said KCBC spokesperson Father Stephen Alathara.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday struck down Section 377. The judgement means that police will no longer be able to intrude upon or arrest adult homosexuals having consensual sex.

"What many fail to understand is that the prevalence of HIV among MSMs (male having sex with male) is very high and hence medical interventions have to be made. Once this becomes legalised, then intervention can become easier," said S K Harikumar, senior national consultant in behaviour and sexual health.

Harikumar, who has worked extensively among gays in the state, estimates that there are more than 45,000 homosexuals in Kerala.

"Today the view on homosexuality is that it is not just a sexual act, but one which is emotionally satisfying. With this (judgment) homosexuals can come out in the open without the fear of being harassed," he said.