New Delhi: Gay rights activists hugged, kissed and patted each other in ecstasy and tears rolled down their cheeks on hearing the Delhi High Court verdict legalising homosexuality among consenting adults.
"The judgement is unbelievable. We sought freedom to live life which the court granted today. We do not want to lie to our family members as this is an instinct," said Anu, one of the gay activists present in the courtroom when the verdict was pronounced.
"Gay sex is not a criminal act. The society should accept the relationship between two adults from the same gender and treat them in the mainstream," she said while other activists kissed each other.
"It's just fantastic," a foreigner present in the court was heard saying as many of them could not control their emotions and lost words to express their feelings.
However, some maintained calm like Lok Prakash and said, "The High Court verdict is an acknowledgement about the existence of a special community in society and I am very happy the court supported us."
A few transgenders present in the court also exchanged greetings with each other. Outside the courtroom, they expressed their gratitude to their lawyers for the 'spectacular victory'.
When mediapersons sought their reaction and a photo session in the court complex, a few of them claimed themselves as couple and posed for perfect photo.