BENGALURU: We must always take sides, neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented’ - this quote by writer Elie Wiesel is how is how MLA Sowmya Reddy would sign off her emails. When it comes to any kind of injustice, the youngest MLA in Bengaluru says she just cannot keep quiet- especially Section 377, which criminalises consensual same-sex relations.
City Express asked the Jayanagar MLA her opinion on the most common argument – are same-sex relations unnatural? “There are so many things that are unnatural – birth control, flying a plane-it all goes against nature’s order. The world belongs to everyone, right?” Sowmya says.
She has been following and fighting for the rights of the Indian queer community since 2000. “We are holding on to ancient laws created by the British. Other countries have grown out of it, but we are still stuck,” says the city’s sole woman legislator, adding, “I remember clearly the day I returned to India after doing my masters in July 2009. Co-incidentally, it was the same day Section 377 was repealed by the Delhi High Court and I was so happy.”
The 35-year-old who once wanted to be a lawyer, was instrumental in organising Bengaluru’s first pride march in 2008. She got into politics later, as she felt she would be able to work on policy issues better if she occupied a chair. “In fact, Congress has given unconditional support against Section 377. Intolerance has increased in the last three years. Things are going backwards under the BJP rule. It is a scary time to be living in,” she adds.
“So many parents, teachers and principals came forward when 377 was re-criminalised in 2013. They said they did not want their sons or daughters to be considered criminals. Who are we to say who someone wants to marry or be with?” she questions.
The causes she supports run into a long list, and protests and education were two important tools she used for activism. “I started working part-time while doing my engineering by teaching children in government schools. I would squeeze some time in during lunch breaks, after college hours and full-time during the holidays.
I later began conducting workshops with the NGO Enfold on sex education, gender, sexual minorities, child sexual abuse and more,” says Soumya, who is also the youngest member of the Animal Welfare Board of India. She counselled families and educators on how to talk to their children about being queer, rights over one’s body, creating healthy relationships between boys and girls in schools, mental health, and much more.
“Sex education is not even taught in schools. Sometimes, they were wary when I told them I wanted to hold a workshop on this subject. There are so many sexual minorities who are made into outcasts. Youngsters go into depression, run away from home or commit suicide. We need to be more inclusive,” she says, adding, “People are talking about it more. The attitude has changed. Sometimes, the law needs to be ahead of the times. I hope something good comes out of the ongoing case in the Supreme Court,” she concludes.