Hemant Sagar, fashion designer
It is time the decision was made. In all these years what I really missed was what they call in France the right to indifference. Being gay is not a choice we make. You are born with it, much like your eye colour or your skin tone. I don’t think society at large is homo-phobic, but a few people are. During a particular stage in society homosexuality might have been an issue when reproduction was of primary importance in a union.

But since 1965, and then the Stonewall Riots in 1969, things have not been the same. Pleasure for pleasure in the bedroom is a personal choice now, and should remain that way for both homo and heterosexuals.

Lesley Esteves, journalist
This is one of the happiest days of my life. We’d presented a strong case for so many years now, but one couldn’t have predicted this would happen. The news is still sinking in.

Sunil Gupta, photographer
I’m 55, HIV+ and emotional, and I didn’t think this would happen. I’ve been talking about this since the 1980s when nobody else breathed a word about it and didn’t think it would happen in my lifetime. We were in the courtroom today when the ruling was announced. I’m extremely happy.

James Ferreira, fashion designer
I have been openly gay for the past 35 years. But I have never been discriminated against because of my sexuality since I was lucky to have a family who accepted me and allowed me to live my life the way I wanted.

The revoking of Section 377 is a landmark judgment which will allow youngsters to deal with their sexuality in a better way. The thing is being gay is part of our genes and it can’t be treated. You can’t get rid of gayness.

Parents should stop trying to make their children’s lives miserable by forcing them to marry and have children. I am so happy for the community.

Rishi Raj, stylist
It is a red-letter day for India. But the next step is social acceptance. That is the next battle.