For Gohil there are some takeaways that are uplifting. He said, “Conversion therapy has become illegal. We know a lot of this still goes on, where licensed and I repeat licensed medical practitioners, though there are some quacks too, so-called mental health experts advocate some kind of drugs or treatment to convert the gay person to straight. Families at times, force their queer family member into such treatments. It is a very common and heinous practice. The court has touched upon protection like the fact that if the queer person has left his/her home, he cannot be forced to return home through violence, threats or intimidation.”

The questions

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What Gohil finds disconcerting is that there is no fixed timeline for a committee which the Court said must be constituted to examine queer rights. “There is also the question of who will represent the community on this committee,” said Gohil, echoing some immediate concerns and top-of-the-mind queries. “It does seem that the ball is being passed around, with nobody seeming to want to take that final decision on same-sex marriage rights. Who should that be? Why this back ‘n’ forth, that is what we want to know and there is a feeling that nobody wants to pick up the burning coal.”

Take heart

The prince though, whose story has also been featured on international media like the Oprah Winfrey Show and is now one of the most visible and vocal faces of the movement stated in a dust-yourself-up-and-get-back-up moment, “Setbacks are behind us. We now have to address Parliamentarians. We have to come up with a strategy where we talk to Parliamentarians, about why we need marriage equality. I have done so individually in the past, talking about how it is good for the image and economy of the country. It will definitely boost tourism.” He ended with, “The queer community is disappointed but we have not lost hope. Look back at our journey; we took this right up to the Supreme Court, that is something to be very proud of. It takes many steps to arrive at a milestone, seven colours to make a rainbow and several obstacles on the way to equality.”