Transgender rights activist welcomes RSS take on homosexuality

Transgender rights activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi on Friday welcomed the RSS' support of de-criminalising homosexual relationships and said the statement made by RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale in this regard is very positive.

"I am glad that the joint general secretary of the RSS has made such statement and that too openly. I welcome his statement, which is very positive," Tripathi told ANI.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave yesterday, Hosabale, while replying to a question on whether homosexuality should remain a criminal offence under Article 377 of the IPC, said he doesn't think that homosexuality should be considered a criminal offence as long as it does not affect the lives of others in society.

"Sexual preferences are private and personal. Why should RSS express its views in a public forum? RSS has no view on that. It is for people to have their way. Personal preference of sex is not discussed in RSS and we don't even want to discuss that," he said.

Section 377 of Indian Penal Code terms homosexuality as unnatural and carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail.

In a much-needed reprieve to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, the Supreme Court had earlier in February referred the matter to a five-judge bench for further hearing on a curative petition challenging its earlier order.