365 days without 377: Celebrating Gay rights

It has been one year since the Delhi High Court struck down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, decriminalizing same sex relations between consenting adults.

The 105-page judgement was the first in India to directly guarantee rights for homosexuals.It overturned a 149-year-old British colonial law, which described sex between members of the same gender as an "unnatural offence".

The gay community celebrated the first anniversary of the historic verdict across the country on Friday with colourful parades, songs and dances.

Colourful parades were held in multiple cities across India.

In this pic, two members of the transgender community hug each other during a celebration in Mumbai. (AP Photo)

Gay rights supporters hold placards as they take part in the Azadi March in New Delhi.

Some 250 gays, lesbians, transsexuals and their heterosexual supporters took to the streets of the Capital for the annual pride march celebration. (AFP Photo)

Indian and foreign gay rights supporters take part in the Azadi March in New Delhi. (AFP Photo)

Gay rights activists paint the back of a fellow activist as they wait to participate in a gay pride event in Bangalore. (AFP Photo)

Celebrations were on in full swing in Mumbai amid songs, dances and lots of vigour. (NDTV Photo)

Members of the gay community greet each other as they celebrate 365 days of the annulment of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. (NDTV Photo)

A member of the parade receives stickers from a fellow supporter during a celebration in Mumbai.

For India's gay community, the joy that greeted last year's court ruling legalising gay sex is marred by the fact that, although the law now accepts them, society still does not. (AFP Photo)

Bystanders watch members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community participate in the celebrations in Mumbai. (AFP Photo)

Members of a gay parade pose as they participate in the celebrations in Mumbai.

For all the celebrations and talk of an historic milestone, many believe it will take more than a court decision to change public attitudes toward homosexuality, which is largely taboo in our country and considered by many to be a mental illness. (AFP Photo)