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| Issue 2, 2009 |
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| Issue 1, 2009 |
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| Issue 3, 2008 |
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| Issue 2, 2008 |
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| Issue 1, 2008 |
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| Issue 4, 2007 |
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| Issue 3, 2007 |
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| Issue 2, 2007 |
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| Issue 1, 2007 |
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| Issue 4, 2006 |
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| Issue 3, 2006 |
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| Issue 2, 2006 |
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| Issue 1, 2006 |
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| Issue 1, 2005 |
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Issue 3, 2008
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Campaign Spotlight
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Pride Parades in India
In Issue 4, 2007 of In Plainspeak we had covered the topic of
queer pride parades all over the world, and the symbolism
of the parade in the lives of queer people. Though the
parades have been held every year in many cities all over
the world, Kolkata has been the only city to host the parade
in India for the first time in 1999 and then from 2003
onwards. Not any more.
On June 29, 2008, it was for the first time held
simultaneously in Kolkata, Bangalore as well as New Delhi
in India.
The Queer pride parade in all the three cities this year was
quite a euphoric moment for many who have been waiting
for it to arrive for years or maybe decades! The idea of the
queer pride parade is not new. Historically, it marks the day
of the Stonewall riots in New York in 1969 when there were
a series of conflicts that took place between the lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender population and the New York
police at Stonewall Inn. This day signifies the resistance put
forward by people who do not conform to sexuality and
gender norms imposed by society. Over the years this day
is used to celebrate pride among sexual minorities across
the world.
On June 29, 2008 there was apprehension about how many
people would come to the parade, would it be peaceful,
and would there be adequate and supportive media
coverage. The parade in Delhi was organised by a group
of more than 30 people who had come together to help
prepare for the event. The preparations included seeking
police permission and support, publicising the parade, and
arranging for rainbow flags, masks, candles etc. There was
a conscious move not to represent organizations during
the parade especially the ones who are members of Voices
Against 377 (VA377). VA377 is a coalition of individuals
and organisations who are working towards reading down
of section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which is a colonial
law discriminatory towards same sex desiring people. The
coalition aims to put adult consensual same sex activity
outside the purview of the law. Because VA377 is one of
the petitioners for the on-going court case in Delhi, it
was thought better not to mention or display the names
of organisations and the coalition for the parade. However,
despite all these apprehensions people turned up and that
too in large numbers!
The parade in Delhi began at 5:30 in the evening at Tolstoy
Marg and the colourful crowd proceeded towards Jantar
Mantar amidst much revelry. There were approximately
600 people present including gay, bisexual, lesbian,
transgender and straight people, families, children and even
a large dog, a Great Dane who aroused as much interest
as the flamboyantly bedecked transwomen! The overall
atmosphere was of joy and happiness. Faces gleamed with
pride and the hope for a new world with more tolerance,
empathy and understanding for each other. Of course,
there were also people who wore colourful masks as they
were not comfortable to reveal their identity for fear of
discrimination from family, friends and society.
Public statements were made against section 377. At the
end of the walk to Jantar Mantar, there was also a peaceful
candle light vigil to show solidarity for the cause. The
response of the onlookers was mixed - some people were
curious and interested to know more while some others
showed their disapproval. But the overall spirit was that of
exuberance.
Not only was the parade successful, the media coverage
has also been immensely encouraging and gratifying. There
were parades in Bangalore and Kolkata too on the same
day. In the first-ever event of its kind in Bangalore, the
sexual minorities community of the city came together to
celebrate their sexualities. The march started from National
College grounds in Basavanagudi and culminated at the
Town Hall. People sported messages such as ‘I am the pink
sheep of my family’, ‘Repeal IPC Section 377’ and ‘Love
knows no gender’. Similarly, in Kolkata, lesbians, gays,
transsexuals, bisexual and heterosexual people marched
through the streets from College Square to Esplanade East
on a ‘Rainbow Pride Walk’.
People walked away from the parades with the hope that
there would be many more spaces in the coming years that
people can claim without being judged or discriminated
against because of their sexuality. The crowds walked back
home with the euphoria of having created history. |
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