The Queer Habba culminated yesterday in a pride parade that showed off Bangalore's many queer colours.
The Queer Habba culminated yesterday in a pride parade that showed off Bangalore's many queer colours.
After a week-long celebration of sexuality, Bangalore's queer and proud took to the streets to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
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The Bangalore Pride began at National College grounds and moved through an approximately two-km route through the city, before culminating at the Town Hall.
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Impressive turnout
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Celebrating Gender Diversity:Crowd queer and straight u2013showed up in large number at the parade, held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, in Bangalore |
"What was impressive this time was definitely the turnout. Around 800 to 1,000 people took part in the parade," said Siddharth Narrain, one of the organisers.
"I loved the fact that there were so many supporters who were not necessarily queer, and that even though so many diverse communities were represented in one single parade, the air was one of positivity and not animosity," added Krithika Ravi Kumar, who took part in the parade.
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Just the beginningu00a0
Theatre person Arundhati Nag addressed the gathering at Town Hall and in her speech made it clear that "the struggle doesn't end here".
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She added, "This is not the end and the community should keep demanding for equal rights even if it takes another 10 years.
Everyone has a right to be who they want to be and the fact that the pride parade was so peaceful only proves that attitudes are changing."
"It was fun", said Kaushyk Satish, a supporter who took part in the parade, but he added, "Certain communities were unnecessarily focused on by the media.
A more balanced reportage would have been preferred."
The parade was, in one word, successful and the fact that the police seemed to ensure a peaceful atmosphere worked to everyone's benefit.
As Siddharth said, "The policemen deployed for the parade were far lesser than last year and that in itself is extremely encouraging."
There seemed to be an air of acceptance. With the recent reaction from the Home Ministry and its plan to review Section 377, the times seem to be finally a-changing and India's queer now think there's hope.
Support in the Parliament>u00a0Home minister P Chidambaram has reportedly expressed an opinion that favours the repeal of Section 377 to his officials.
>u00a0Law minister Veerappa Moily has also said he is in favour of a "review" of section 377
>u00a0The health ministry, which is the third key ministry whose assent would be required to amend the law, has also favoured the repeal.
