| Despite hurdles, first pride parade spreads the cheer |
23rd Mar 2013
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Members of the LGBT community and supporters celebrating at Chandigarh’s first pride parade
handigarh witnessed its first Pride Parade on 15 March. Organised by Saksham Trust, a city-based NGO, and supported by other agencies including Panjab University's Department of Social Work, Department of Human Rights and the State Aids Control Society, the parade started from Panjab University's Student Centre and culminated at Sector 17 Plaza. The members also staged a play at Sector 17.
The first string of pride events held across cities in India was in 2008, with individuals marching in Delhi, Bangalore, Pondicherry, and Kolkata. Chennai followed suit, and so did Mumbai. Since then each city has been hosting its own Pride march. Pride marches are colourful events, with the celebratory spirit and demeanour of a Mardi gras, the rainbow flag flying high. The Pride march enables queer identified individuals to celebrate their identity and seeks to familiarise the society with a non-heterosexist paradigm.
Rohit, one of the participants told Guardian20, "It was indeed an inimitable experience as many of the participants came out for the first time. Confidence levels increased and the spirits of all the participants' enlivened. It was a bonhomie moment and there are no words to express the feelings. It felt, as if we got freedom today, not six decades back."
Another participant said, "It is our life and we as adults, are mature enough to take our own decisions. If my family has no problem with it, I don't know why the f***ing society has any qualms? The walk was a soothing experience for me as it was about my 'Pride'. I was out of the feeling that has oppressed me and others like me."
Dhananjay Chauhan, President of the Saksham Trust said, "The turnout was not as per expectations but it was good overall. Being the first Pride in Chandigarh, spreading the word around was a little bit on the downside. But we were able to spread our message that a visible LGBT community exists and alike other individuals of the society, we should also be accorded equal rights."
The motto of the walk was to sentient people towards the LGBT community, so that they could open up their minds and give the members the respect they deserve, besides willingly accepting their identity and sexuality.
One of the women participants, while expressing her views about the community, said, "I believe it is difficult for same sex people to express their love for each other openly in the society we live. But this platform will definitely provide them the freedom to express their love for each other, after all it is their life and it should be their decision."
Various organisations from other states took part in the pride walk which includes Hamsafar Trust, Mumbai; Indian HIV AIDS Alliance, New Delhi; Pehchaan Project; and Galaxy Magazine, Bangalore.
Lalit Kumar, Secretary, Saksham Trust said, "After the event, we received several calls from people across India. There are almost 800-1000 quuer identified individuals just in the Tricity (Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali) but a majority of them are yet to come out because of the social obligations. We are hopeful that the next walk will definitely witness larger participation."
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