Ramesh (name changed), a software consultant with IBM in Bangalore who hails from Pune and visits the city often, said all of them are looking forward to the Gay Pride March in Mumbai on August 16.

Nitin Karani, who belongs to the Humsafar Trust that deals with HIV prevention programmes among MSM, says there are celebrations everywhere. “There is a homophobia in the society and we always get the feeling of being persecuted. We know it will take several years for societal acceptance, but today’s judgment is just the correct step in that direction.”

Ramprasad Akkisetti, whose friends had been tirelessly working towards this judgment in Delhi, agrees: “The repeal of Section 377 is a great step forward in erasing the suppression of an invisible minority. Now the path is open for the larger social project of removal of social stereotypes that oppose gay people.”

Psychiatrists and therapists in the city who have been counselling at least a couple each week admit that the gay people have similar concerns as heterosexuals. They want acceptance in their families, says Dr Bhushan Shukla. According to Dr Kaustubh Jog, issues like Section 377 and unacceptability often caused depression and insomnia.