#MoreFilmsForFreedom: Marking the second anniversary of the Section 377 judgement
The BHC community celebrated the first anniversary of Section 377 judgement in India.
By ET Bureau |
BCCL
Like the UK, India has now seen significant progress on LGBT+ rights.
As the main representation of the UK government in India, the British High Commission (BHC) promotes the UK value of equal rights for all, and works as a joint force for good by showing solidarity and support to the Indian LGBT+ community. In September 2019, BHC community celebrated the first anniversary of the Section 377 judgement which decriminalised homosexuality in India by engaging with over 500 people through events in six locations across India, focusing on a number of themes, including diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The UK is committed to non-discrimination on any grounds, including sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a Co-Chair of the Equal Rights Coalition, which brings together 40 countries committed to working together to promote LGBT+ equality globally.
The BHC network is now marking the second anniversary of the Section 377 judgement with a virtual programme of activities across India, raising awareness about LGBT+ rights, with a particular focus on employability and job opportunities.
Special screening British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai has a joint initiative with the British Council to celebrate queer freedom and equality with a special screening of three short films with international perspectives. These three films showcase a breadth of distinctive filmmaking voices and explore diverse themes including sexuality and conflict; intergenerational gay culture; and migration and family ties.
They include two documentaries and one fiction project, with collaborations between UK filmmakers and Syrian, Palestinian and South African filmmakers currently based in Lebanon, Israel, and South Africa.
ADVERTISEMENT
Like the UK, India has now seen significant progress on LGBT+ rights. The BHC’s programme with the NGO Humsafar Trust has reached around 450 groups across a number of sectors to build capacity and increase sensitization to LGBT+ issues. This includes journalists, the judiciary, academic institutions and businesses. However, there is still more work to do, and we look forward to continued engagement with a number of Indian organisations which are committed to promoting and advancing LGBT+ rights.
When: September 4 at 4pm To register yourself please visit: https://bit.ly/2EoCZFn
Some Gay & Lesbian Films That Left A Mark
1/10
Signalling winds of change, the Supreme Court on Thursday lifted a colonial-era ban on gay sex . A five-judge panel in the Supreme Court was unanimous in its decision to end the law, commonly known as "Section 377", that prohibits "carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal".
As the country, and the world hails the move, here's a look at some gay and lesbian films that were endearing and left a lasting impression.
Signalling winds of change, the Supreme Court on Thursday lifted a colonial-era ban on gay sex . A five-judge panel in the Supreme Court was unanimous in its decision to end the law, commonly known a..
Read More
This 2005 film by Onir - who himself has been a vocal LGBTQ activist - was truly way ahead of its time. 'My Brother... Nikhil' treated homosexuality sensitively, minus ugly jokes or sexual innuendos. The gay relationship between Sanjay Suri and Purab Kohli was not designed to shock. With Juhi Chawla and Lillette Dubey in supporting cast, this film tried to do a "normal" act between homosexual lovers, emphasising on the regular couple behaviour.
This 2005 film by Onir - who himself has been a vocal LGBTQ activist - was truly way ahead of its time. 'My Brother... Nikhil' treated homosexuality sensitively, minus ugly jokes or sexual innuendos...
Read More
Sean Penn won the best actor Oscar in 2008 for his gritty depiction of Harvey Milk, an American activist who faces several difficulties while fighting for gay rights. Milk goes on to become California's first openly gay official elected to public office. Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Dustin Lance Black, the film also stars Josh Brolin as Dan White, a city supervisor who assassinated Milk. The film earned critical acclaim, and bagged numerous awards.
Sean Penn won the best actor Oscar in 2008 for his gritty depiction of Harvey Milk, an American activist who faces several difficulties while fighting for gay rights. Milk goes on to become Californi..
Read More
'Margarita with a Straw', directed by Shonali Bose, released in India in 2014. Kalki Koechlin played the role of an Indian teen with cerebral palsy who relocates to America for her studies. There she comes of age following her complex relationship with a blind girl, played by Sayani Gupta. Tamil actress Revathi, Kuljeet Singh, and William Moseley played supporting roles. Bose co-wrote the film along with Nilesh Maniyar.
'Margarita with a Straw', directed by Shonali Bose, released in India in 2014. Kalki Koechlin played the role of an Indian teen with cerebral palsy who relocates to America for her studies. There she..
Read More
The American romantic teen comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti released earlier this year. Written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, it's sourced from Becky Albertalli's novel 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda'. The film stars Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, and Jennifer Garner. It revolves around Simon Spier, a closeted gay high school boy who is forced to balance his friends, his family, and the blackmailer threatening to reveal his sexual identity to the entire school, while simultaneously attempting to discover the identity of the anonymous classmate with whom he has fallen in love online.
Critics praised the film that premiered at the 2018 Mardi Gras Film Fest for its "big heart, diverse and talented cast, and revolutionary normalcy". It also clocked $66.3 million worldwide at the box office.
The American romantic teen comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti released earlier this year. Written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, it's sourced from Becky Albertalli's novel 'Simon vs...
Read More
Clint Eastwood's politico drama upset many former FBI agents when it released in 2011. And this was primarily because the film dropped ample hints of an abiding love between the FBI founder J Edgar Hoover and his aide Clyde Tolson. Leonardo DiCaprio played a vulnerable Hoover while Armie Hammer is his aide Tolson. Eastwood, in the director's seat, brought to life a man divided by the personal and the political, and tries to show a 20th-century titan who with secrets and bullets and subterfuge built a formidable information network.
Clint Eastwood's politico drama upset many former FBI agents when it released in 2011. And this was primarily because the film dropped ample hints of an abiding love between the FBI founder J Edgar H..
Read More
It was India's first film on homosexual love, and caused a huge uproar for bringing the 'taboo' subject to the big screen.
Deepa Mehta's 1996 film, starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, went viral at a time when there was no social media.
The film, telling the story of two sisters-in-law who fall in love with each other, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
It only opened in mainstream cinemas in the country in 1998.
It was India's first film on homosexual love, and caused a huge uproar for bringing the 'taboo' subject to the big screen.
Deepa Mehta's 1996 film, starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, went viral ..
Read More
This 2015 drama directed by Todd Haynes tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer and an older woman going through a difficult divorce in 1950s New York. Based on the 1952 romance novel 'The Price of Salt' by Patricia Highsmith, it stars Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, and Kyle Chandler.
This 2015 drama directed by Todd Haynes tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer and an older woman going through a difficult divorce in 1950s New York. Based on ..
Read More
Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age film follows the journey of a seventeen-year-old and his affair with his father's 24-year-old graduate student, in 1980s Italy.
Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer deliver outstanding performances as the film beautifully manages to avoid the cliches about gay love.
Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age film follows the journey of a seventeen-year-old and his affair with his father's 24-year-old graduate student, in 1980s Italy.
Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer del..
Read More
A movie that way way ahead ot its time, 'Brokeback Mountain, till date remains on of Heath Ledger’s most celebrated performance.
The 2005 Ang Lee film, a beautiful adaptation of a short story written in 1997 by Annie Proulx, tells the story of a forbidden relationship between two cowboys - Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger.
A movie that way way ahead ot its time, 'Brokeback Mountain, till date remains on of Heath Ledger’s most celebrated performance.
The 2005 Ang Lee film, a beautiful adaptation of a short story writt..
