'India's Decision To Recriminalise Homosexuality A Backward Move'

JAIPUR: Of the six novels Welsh author Sarah Waters has written, five have lesbian couples as protagonists and for someone who has championed gay rights through her writings, she was extremely disappointed, like several others, with the Supreme Court's 2013 order recriminalising homosexuality.

"It was very disappointing to know that they were again recriminalised. From the outside world, this decision looked very disappointing," Waters told IANS in an interview on the sidelines of the just-concluded Jaipur Literature Festival.

"It is a backward move because the world is such an odd place for gay people all around the globe. On one hand you have liberal countries and on the other you have countries where it is completely banned," she added.

Even though the 48-year-old doesn't know which way India is headed where conservative movements are challenging the existence of the LGBT community within the Indian social system, Waters hopes things will change for good if the state understands the importance of respecting this community's rights.

While India will take some time to recognise the gay community, Waters was blessed to have grown up in a country that had started to develop liberal views in the early 1990s.

READ MORE: Master Math Via Body Movements

Canned Beverages Safe For Drinking: Study