Court Decriminalizes Gay Sex in Indian Capital

Honey Khan, left, and Hillol Datta cheer and celebrate after the Delhi High Court passed a ground...

Honey Khan, left, and Hillol Datta cheer and celebrate after the Delhi High Court passed a ground breaking ruling Thursday decriminalizing homosexuality in New Delhi, India, Thursday, July 2, 2009. The court ruled that treating consensual gay sex as a crime is a violation of fundamental rights protected by India's constitution, a decision that could bring more freedom for gays in this deeply conservative country. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

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In New Delhi, Rev. Babu Joseph, a spokesman of the Roman Catholic church, told New Delhi Television that while homosexuals should not be treated as criminals, "at the same time we cannot afford to endorse homosexual behavior as normal and socially acceptable."

Still, rights activists hope that Thursday's ruling will send a message to the entire country.

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"The symbolic value of this judgment is unmatched," said Arvind Narrain, another lawyer involved with the case. "It says lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people are citizens with equal rights."

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Associated Press Writers Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow, India and Alexander G. Higgins in Geneva contributed to this story.

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