Nations unite to stand for LGBT community; did India give it a miss?

NEW DELHI: In a move that may raise eyebrows in Delhi's political and decision making circles, more than twenty-five foreign missions on Friday joined hands to highlight their countries' commitment to full equality for all human beings, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The list of countries include United States, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Spain besides EU came out in strong support for the lesbian, gay , bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) community .

There might be message for Indian government in this move.

PM Narendra Modi in his message to the Orlando skipped any mention to the fact that the shooting took place at a gay club. The PM, last Saturday had tweeted, “Shocked at the shootout in Orlando, USA. My thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured."

Shocked at the shootout in Orlando, USA. My thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2016

Twitter saw some reactions following the PM's statement as the word LGBT was missing from his message. The Indian Law still regards homosexuality as a criminal offence.

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalises “unnatural sex" even if it is consensual, as among two consenting gay partners. Last year India voted along with Russia and Saudi Arabia voted for UN resolution drafted by Moscow on the LGBT issue.

The resolution had proposed removing benefits for same-sex partners of UN staff and asserted that Secretary General cannot decide on his own while changing well established norms for the staff of the global body.

“This June, we the undersigned diplomatic missions in India's capital, reaffirm our countries' strong commitment to equal rights for lesbian, gay , bisexual, transgender, and intersex citizens," according to the joint statement by the foreign missions.