On other days, and in public places, they would keep mum about their relationship. But after the Delhi High Court legalised homosexuality, Rahul Singh, a gay rights activist, is planning a surprise visit to his parents in Lucknow. And he is taking his partner of three years along.

Not that the landmark judgment would change mindsets overnight. But at least some sanction has come with the ruling.

“This means a lot to me,” Singh said. “This is the first step. The sanction has come from law.

Now, we can be together. But it is a long war, and we have just won the first battle.”

At the Jantar Mantar, the ‘protest spot’ in the Capital, four days ago, supporters and members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community were denouncing the draconian Section 377 at the Gay Pride march.

On Thursday, they came to the ‘protest street’ again to celebrate their rainbow identity.

“Make a Wish” etched on Gunjan Sharma’s handbag symbolised the optimism, and the gratitude. On July 2, when the Delhi High Court decriminalised homosexuality, that long-standing wish was granted. Sharma is a queer rights activist at TARSHI (Talking about Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues).

Nienke Boer, a South African volunteer, was taking in all the excitement. “It is historic. South Africa has legalised gay marriage but then we are a conservative society too. This is just a beginning,” she said.

Singh was at the gathering too and the TV crews zeroed in on him. Civil unions and gay marriages are on the radar, he said.

When he had introduced his boyfriend to his parents, Singh told them he was a “good friend.”

For the 32-year-old, the “illegal” tag stripped his relationship of dignity, and he never felt comfortable talking about it with his family.

But Thursday was a proud moment for him. It was like coming out of the closet the second time and the feeling was liberating.

“My dignity as a gay man has been reaffirmed,” Singh said. “I will be in a position to talk to my family. We have a stable relationship and I want them to know that.”

Years ago, when he came out to his parents, it had been under pressure. They did not know about his sexual orientation and like so many other parents, wanted him to get married. So Singh had to tell them. His parents were upset; there were tears, and emotional dialogues. But then, the doors had swung open.

Grappling with his sexual identity has always been an uphill task for Singh, who earlier worked with the Naz Foundation and in January started the Pahal Foundation. He is also a counsellor at the Pahal Beauty Parlour in Faridabad, which is India’s first gay beauty clinic.

He had felt isolated when other boys discussed women in school. He just was not interested. “I kept all of it to myself,” Singh said. But flipping through a magazine once, he stumbled upon an article on homosexuality and that was when he realised he could be gay. He visited psychiatrists, hoping they would not confirm it. “It was a struggle. I realised it was my orientation and if I didn’t accept it, I’d be betraying myself,” he said. “But for a long time, I wasn’t able to talk about it.”

Then Singh met Yash, 30, who works in the private sector, at a discotheque. They live together now. Singh will take Yash to meet his parents towards the end of the month.