In a historic judgement Thursday, India’s high court decriminalized homosexuality striking down a 150-year colonial ban against gay sex between consenting adults for violating fundamental rights protected by the constitution.

“The inclusiveness that Indian society traditionally displayed, literally in every aspect of life, is manifest in recognizing a role in society for everyone,” said Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice S. Murlidhar.

“Oppressive laws such as Section 377 drive people underground, making it much harder to reach them with HIV prevention, treatment and care services,” UN AIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said. “On top of violating individuals’ human rights, the prohibition of homosexuality in over 80 countries impedes the response to HIV, hampering treatment to access for people living with the disease, according to UNAIDS.”

(Read more in Times of India)

Enrollment is up for Jewish and Arab students attending the Hand-in-Hand bilingual school in Jerusalem. Kids study together learning the language of friendship and goodwill with two teachers guiding each class in both Hebrew and Arabic.

Despite being in the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, these kids know nothing of ethnic hatred. 

Watch the Common Ground video below, or on YouTube.

The Supreme Court ruled against Arizona school officials saying they violated the constitutional rights of a 13-year-old girl when they strip-searched her on the suspicion she might be hiding ibuprofen in her underwear. The decision put school districts on notice that such searches are “categorically distinct” from other searches.

The court ruled 8 to 1, with the sole dissenter being Clarence Thomas.

(Details in the Washington Post)