2 Jul 2009, 1713 hrs IST

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference (KCBC) today said it will oppose legalization of gay sex after the Delhi High Court struck down section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that termed homosexuality a criminal act.

KCBC spokesperson Father Stephen Alathara said: "This (homosexuality) is against the Indian culture. We will oppose it and since our country is a democratic one, there is no way that this can be legalised through legislation. The church's views will have to be sought."

The Delhi High Court struck down section 377. The judgement means that police will no longer be able to intrude upon or arrest adult homosexuals having consensual sex.

S K Harikumar, senior national consultant in behaviour and sexual health, told IANS: "What many fail to understand is that the prevalence of HIV among MSMs (male having sex with male) are very high and hence medical interventions had to be made. Once this becomes legalised, then intervention can become easy."

Harikumar, who has worked extensively among gays in the state, estimates that there are more than 45,000 homosexuals in the state.

"Today the view on homosexuality is that it is not just a sexual act, but one which is emotionally satisfying. With this (judgement) homosexuals can come out in the open without the fear of being harassed," he added.

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