Interconnected Rights

This final chapter focuses on the relationship between rights-based struggles and social transformation goals of sexual minorities. In September 2018, the Supreme Court of India reversed the Koushal judgment and declared Section 377 unconstitutional. This was a huge success for sexual minorities who rallied against the law for almost two decades and saw it as a symbol of state-sponsored homophobia. The two decades of sexual minority politics in India have not only foregrounded sexual orientation and gender identity as important constitutional rights but also strengthened the idea of constitutional morality. Constitutional morality, defined as respecting diversity and difference and protecting the most marginalized sections of the society, has helped sexual minorities to fight a growing populist morality that quintessentially defines India as Hindu and heteronormative. These successes also indicate that biopolitical mandates can be strategically used to fight popular morality and norms. In addition, by articulating sexual rights as interconnected with other social justice goals, sexual minorities in India also showcase the importance of intersectional struggles. The conclusion also touches upon challenges and opportunities for alliance building across sexual minority groups.