As told to Sonam Joshi

Keshav Suri , 33, executive director, Lalit Suri Hospitality Group was another petitionerI've been out to my family for over 10 years. Yet I filed the petition against 377 only in April. It's a journey that has taken decades but I felt it was the right time. From 2013 (when the SC reversed the 377 judgment) to now, a lot has changed. People like Tim Cook and Ellen DeGeneres have come out, and businesses have acknowledged the pink economy.The privacy judgment was the turning point for me. It is as simple as thiseach of us has the right to live with respect. We cannot be termed criminals merely because of whom we choose to love. While growing up, I was in an all-boys' school in Delhi, where we had to do plays. The teachers would always choose me to play the female characters. There was a particular cuss word directed at me throughout my school life. This bullying in my formative years had a major impact. Like many others, I thought of leaving the country but this is my home, this is where I belong.In the corporate world, there is still the perception that if you're gay, you won't be taken seriously. I still get comments about what I wear, or don't wear. A lot of companies will now not be able to use 377 as an excuse to not have LGBT conversations. Just like the NALSA judgment changed a lot for the transgender community, this will open the gates for what happens next - which is the fight for equality. Decriminalisation is the first step.