Chandigarh, July 8(ANI): Within a week of Delhi High Court negating the ban on homosexuals, lesbians and gay sex with reference to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, Chandigarh city witnessed two gay couples tying the nuptial knot.

The couples admitted of being in high spirits, as now they can stay together without any social stigma of police harassing them for their ‘odd sexual orientations’.

“Before the High Court’s verdict we could not meet openly. The police used to trouble us and people used to comment on us. But now we are not afraid of anything. Now I can give money to my partner and we will take up a place together,” said Joginder Singh, one the newly wed.

Hailing the Delhi High Court’s ruling, the couples said on Tuesday that they can now come out in the open and would not have to keep their relationship under wraps.

“We are very happy. We were in love, but we had to keep it secret. But after the verdict of the court, we have come out and got married,” said Sachin, another newly wed gay.

After the verdict, many from the gay community have come out in the open.

Reportedly, in Chandigarh alone, there have been almost seven gay marriages in the past few days.

“Since the decision has been taken by the court, the gay community has opened up. There have been seven gay marriages in the past six days,” said Vinod Kumar, Deputy Director of the Haryana Aids Control Society.

Earlier on July 2, the Delhi High Court had ruled that gay sex was not a crime. A two-judge bench of the court had said that consensual sex amongst adults is legal, which includes even gay sex and sex among the same sexes. (ANI)