Indian Coming Out Day
{{Short description|LGBT Awareness day in Iran, 2 July}}
{{Infobox holiday
|type = LGBT awareness day
|image = Unofficial Pride flag India.png
|caption = Unofficial pride flag representing the LGBT community of India
|official_name =
|nickname =
|observedby = Indian LGBT community
|firsttime = 2 July 2012
|duration = 1 day
|frequency = Annual
|scheduling = same day each year
|date = 2 July
|mdy = false
|observances = Coming out
|relatedto = National Coming Out Day
}}
Indian Coming Out Day is an annual LGBT awareness day observed on 2 July, to support anyone coming out of the closet.{{Cite web |title=Indian Coming Out Day |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sexuality/column-indian-coming-out-day-2490270 |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=DNA India |language=en}} This day is celebrated in commemoration of Naz Foundation v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi case which resulted in the decriminalisation of homosexual sexual activity in India by reading down of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code by the Delhi High Court.{{Cite web |title=Chennai's LGBTQIA+ community is coming out in order to take down Section 377 |url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2018/jul/04/chennais-lgbtqia-community-is-coming-out-in-order-to-take-down-section-377-3341.html |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=Edex Live |language=en}}
History
On July 2, 2009, the Delhi High Court decriminalised homosexual sexual activity by reading down the Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. A number of organisations across India celebrated this day with public events.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-12 |title=First LGBTQIA cultural festival in Ahmedabad on July 2 |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/first-lgbtqia-cultural-festival-in-abad-on-july-2/articleshow/92155324.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-07-03 |issn=0971-8257}} The first coming out day was celebrated in 2010 and started by Shyam Konnur, founder and director of Mist LGBTQ Foundation.{{Cite news |date=2012-07-02 |title=From the closet to the open |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/from-the-closet-to-the-open/articleshow/14555773.cms |access-date=2023-07-03 |issn=0971-8257}} This became of special importance with the 2009 judgement was overturned in 2013 in the Suresh Kumar Koushal v. Naz Foundation case in the Supreme Court of India.{{Cite web |title=Indian Coming Out Day |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sexuality/column-indian-coming-out-day-2490270 |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=DNA India |language=en}} The India Coming Out Day became of special importance after this as organisations celebrated this day as a mark of protest.{{Cite web |title=Chennai's LGBTQIA+ community is coming out in order to take down Section 377 |url=https://www.edexlive.com/news/2018/jul/04/chennais-lgbtqia-community-is-coming-out-in-order-to-take-down-section-377-3341.html |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=Edex Live |language=en}}