The history of the nation of India gives a glimpse into the magnanimity of it’s evolution . The transformation of the nation instills a sense of inclusiveness.
In India, same sex relationship ; homosexuality was not legally accepted and considered an act of offense by Article 377 of the Indian Constitution.
The first Pride Parade was held in Kolkata on 2nd July, 1999, called the Kolkata Pride March which was the oldest Pride Pride March in the entire South Asia. Even though it sought participants from Bengaluru , Mumbai as well but none of them were women. Also knows as The Friendship Walk, it is believed to be similar to The Stonewall Walk held near New York city in the late 1960’s . Pride discussions in India is related to demonstration of caste as well.
Pride Marches were being held exclusively in Kolkata in the years 1999,2003,2004 and 2005. Bengaluru, Delhi, also organized coordinated marches with Kolkata. The then PM’s appeal in favor of the LGBTQIA+ community was a major push forward.
Indian literature and history is rich with examples of homosexuality and portrayal of all gender people.
Bengaluru has been holding Pride March since 2008 annually. It’s organized by the Coalition of Sex Workers and Sexual Minority Rights(CSMR).
Delhi’s parade is held yearly on the last Sunday of November . Delhi’s Queer Pride supports movements for Dalits, feminism and disability rights.
Chennai also had a major Pride march called the Chennai Rainbow Pride.
The first parade in North East India was held in 2014 in Guwahati, Assam.
Alternate sexuality was an integral part of ancient India and homosexuality was considered to be a form of the sacred.
Organizations like the Hamsafar(Mumbai), Chennai Dost, Alternative Law Forum (Bengaluru) are working for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Student Movements are also registered under the Government of India and Genderqueer Movement based at Madurai.
The Pride Parade is a symbol of celebration and liberation for the entire LGBTQIA community.
Pride, as opposed to shame, stigma is the predominant outlook that bolsters the most LGBTQIA+ Rights Movements.
Queer Azadi Pride March also called the Queer Azadi March is an annual LGBTQIA+ Pride Parade held in Mumbai. The Pride March and related events are a platform to ask for equal rights, constitutional protection against discrimination on the basis of gender and sexuality, sensation of the society towards the rights and aspirations of the community and elimination of violence, transphobia, homophobia within workplaces, educational institutions and public places.
Homosexuality is as old as the Vedas and The Trans Community is as ancient as the Madurai temples!
The 90’s saw the emergence of women loving women, the first gay film was released in India in 1996.
Since 2004, the LGBTQIA+ community have been fighting incessantly for their justified rights.
The most notable achievement for the community was the acceptance of the third gender on 6th September ,2018 when the Supreme Court of India invalidated a part of the Article 377 IPC making homosexuality legal in India. By ending the colonial-era law, it paved a way for India’s better future.
Gradually the society is beginning to accept the LGBTQIA+ people, employment and education is being available to them, they’re free to engage into same-sex relationships but India has a long way to go and as an organized political movement the India LGBTQIA+ Movement is quite young. Advocating and protecting the diversity is a must.
The Pride Month is celebrated in the month of June all over India for the LGBTQIA+ people to fight for their rights where common masses also join in. Leniency towards the community would finally lead to the creation of an equal and harmonious society.
The Rakish Pen-drafter 