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Show of solidarity for rights of sexual minorities in Chennai

Sruthi Krishnan

Many feel social sensitivity will bring succour to their lives
A few onlookers booed the parade

CHENNAI: “I never thought this would happen in my lifetime in Chennai…,” D. Chandrasekaran, an IT professional, said laughingly. All around him hundreds marched on the Marina on Sunday evening, united by the belief that ‘Hues may vary but humanity does not.’

The first Chennai Rainbow Pride March was a celebration and a political statement to proclaim the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. “We should not be afraid to come out and say we are gay,” said a participant who had come from Chidambaram, wearing a mask. “People need to understand about us. We are not animals or primitive creatures,” he said.

Another participant from Kanyakumari, wearing a mask, said that he hoped that such parades would also highlight the need for legal reforms. “If Section 377 [ of IPC] is read down, we can stay legally with our partners,” he said.

“This march is more political, less like a party,” said Ailish, who had come to India for a visit from Ireland, comparing it with other pride marches she had been to.

“It is both – a celebration and a political statement,” said Sunil Menon, founder of Sahodaran, a non-governmental organisation.

Many expressed hope that societal sensitivity would bring some succour to their daily lives. “We want a proper place to stay and employment opportunities. It can happen only if society gives us sanction,” said Shankari, talking about the issues of the transgender community.

There were many who were in the march to show solidarity for the rights of sexual minorities. “This march is not just for sexual minorities, but for anybody who feels strongly about civil or democratic rights,” said Sharanya Manivannan, a poet.

But there were some who did not share that sentiment; a few onlookers jeered at the parade. “When I tell that I am gay, some say ‘so what’… that’s the way it should be,” said Srivath, who paused to talk. “I don’t blame the older generation,” he said, adding that they came from a time when men were not allowed into the kitchen. It was the present and future generations that held hope, he said.

‘Consciously confused’

And the younger generation was there in full force to support the cause. “The student community is very aware,” said 20-year-old P.C. Samyuktha.

“We are ‘consciously confused’,” she said, describing the struggle to define identities. Perhaps, the answer was not in black and white definitions, but in the diffusing shades of a rainbow.

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