Delhi’s pride is back

Currently in it’s fifth year, the Delhi Queer Pride has become a much-awaited feature in the city. Held on the last Sunday of November, the parade is attended by over 2,000 people, including members and supporters of the LGBT community every year. Chetna Dua reports.

Currently in it’s fifth year, the Delhi Queer Pride has become a much-awaited feature in the city. Held on the last Sunday of November, the parade is attended by over 2,000 people, including members and supporters of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender) community every year.

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“Thanks to the parade, homosexuality is no longer a hush-hush subject. There is a lot of awareness and acceptance about it now,” says Mohnish Malhotra, member of the Delhi Queer Pride organising committee. This year, the parade focuses on gender diversity. “We want to create awareness about transgender issues,” says Rituparno Borah, another member of the organising committee.

People from various communities, be it LGBT or otherwise, walk together under the rainbow colours of the Pride flag, as a mark of all-round support for the cause.

“This parade is the most peaceful revolution in the country. It is a celebration of who we are,” adds Borah. “When we started the parade in 2008, a lot of youngsters came forward, but the surprising trend is the increased support from our straight allies — parents, siblings and friends,” adds Malhotra. “I come to support my friends from the community. Everybody should have a right to their sexuality,” says Kuber Sharma, a regular at the parade.

The dhol, dancing and cheering with pom poms add to the mood of the celebration. This year, there is a new element to the parade. “After the march, we’ll have a picnic and watch the sun go down on another day of queer life in Delhi,” says Shalini Krishan, a member. The members were assembling at Barakhamba Road at the time of going to press.