"I'm coming out. I want to be honest." On Sunday software engineer Mukesh Joshi's Facebook status had a hint of pride as he embraced his sexual orientation in public, after 10 years of keeping it under wraps.

Mukesh, who grew up in Kerala, was aware of his sexual orientation since he was 17 but never told anyone about it. After moving to Bengaluru, he dared to open up but only to select friends.

As celebrations erupted on social media following the US Supreme Court's verdict to legalize same-sex marriages, Mukesh added the rainbow hues to his profile picture. He had come out of the closet and the response to the life event that flashed on his wall was overwhelming.

The US top court's ruling has taken the social media by storm. Facebook decided to mark the momentous event with a splash of colours; members supporting the cause could add a rainbow filter to their profile photo. While the trend caught up in no time, it also created strings of conversations and debates online, including in Bengaluru.

Is changing a photo enough, considering the Indian judiciary has closed its doors on gay rights, asked some netizens. Many questioned the double standards of the country where activism is limited to social media. The irony, according to gay activists in India, is that while many are changing their profiles in solidarity, same-sex marriage is a distant dream here, as being gay itself is a crime in the country. The Supreme Court of India had, on December 11, 2013, said Section 377 which criminalizes homosexual acts was still legal.

"There's a need to have more conversations about homosexuality. If you look at the US case, Justice Anthony Kennedy was a Republican nominee, but joined the court's liberal wing to back same-sex marriage rights. Over the years, he became aware of homosexuality. So, we have to sensitize our people and politicians," said Lawrence Liang of the Alternative Law Forum.

But it is not just about law. "I wonder what many of those who rainbowcoloured their photos would do if their LGBT child, sibling, friend asks (sic) them for support. Don't bother colouring your pic if you can't support. The colouring of profile is not for you to get a doordarshan-styled profile pic (sic)," wrote Saina Jayapal on Facebook.