NEW YORK, NY July 02, 2009 —A court ruling in India has gay and lesbian activists in New York jumping for joy. The Delhi High Court ruled that India's colonial era laws against homosexuality are unconstitutional. New York activist Myna Mukherjee says it's a watershed for gay rights in the world's second largest country.

MUKHERJEE: It was unimaginable for the state to actually be thought of as an ally. It's always been thought of as in opposition but the way the judgment reads today, it's fairly obvious the courts are a definite ally.

Mukherjee says gay, lesbian and transgender activists in India and the U.S. can learn from each others' experiences despite the different political and legal situations they face. In the meantime she says the Indian activists and their friends will be celebrating this evening at the Stonewall Inn.