It’s been called a “Cinderella moment” for the lesbian and gay marriage equality movement and the LGBT community around the world has cause to celebrate even if the rulings in the US Supreme Court don’t really apply to them.
But what the US has done today will probably open the eyes of the world tomorrow to a more liberal view of sex between members of the same sex and, as an extension, same-sex marriage. The landmark judgment, which advances the rights of LGBT Americans towards full citizenship and makes any discrimination illegal, should impact our thinking hugely. The ruling that now makes same-sex marriages legal in a 13th US state becomes a new subject for discussion as the sweeping changes in one country challenge our traditional concept of marriage and family and succession issues with regard to property.
There are, doubtless, complications. In essence, what the movement towards same-sex marriage stands up for is an individual’s right. It upholds the principle that a person’s sexuality is his own alone.
In India, we have progressed on the liberal view to the extent of decriminalising same-sex sexual relations through a landmark Delhi high court judgment. But there is still some way to go before Indian society can even think of accepting same-sex marriage. Social scientists and religious leaders would have to think afresh and lead the way in helping us understand the issues in depth.