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Monday, Jun 29, 2009
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Celebration of sexual diversity

Urvashi Sarkar

Delhi Queer Pride Parade seeks right to live, love and exist

— PHOTO: AP

Hundreds of gay rights supporters take out a parade in New Delhi on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: Waving flags with rainbow colours and donning festive masks, a large number of people in colourful attire participated in the Delhi Queer Pride Parade here on Sunday. Accompanied by sounds of catchy drumbeats and whistles, the crowd chanting slogans such as “Down with 377” marched from Barakhamba Road to Jantar Mantar.

“Give us the right to live, love and exist,” said a prominent banner. A large sheet in rainbow colours, symbolic of sexual diversity, was eagerly carried around by the marchers. As onlookers gawked, the marchers danced with abandon, joy writ large on their faces. “This is a celebration of our diversity,” said a marcher taking a break from dancing in the streets.

Speaking about Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which is a legacy of the colonial era that criminalises homosexuality, Gautam Bhan, a member of the Delhi Queer Pride Committee that organised the event, said: “The focus of the campaign is Section 377 whose very existence routinely causes harassment to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community at police stations, refusal of treatment at clinics and blackmail. LGBT individuals are often sent to psychiatrists and asylums to be ‘healed.’ Through this parade we want to encourage self-confidence of individuals. After revocation of Section 377, we will address issues concerning equality and discrimination. The battle has to be fought inside and outside the courts.”

“A petition was filed challenging this law in 2001. We are expecting a verdict from a court on Section 377 in July. With political leaders now coming out in our support, we are definitely hopeful,” Mr. Bhan said, adding: “What we really desire is that consensual sex between adults should be decriminalised.”

A member of an organisation that hosts gay parties and social events in the capital said: “In these eight years since the first petition was filed, India has been in a period of remarkable transition. Hopefully the verdict will be in our favour. It’s tough for people to come out of the closet because of fear of losing their jobs and withdrawal of family acceptance and support.”

Silence

The march culminated at Jantar Mantar where a tent had been erected. A masked participant took the stage that had been put up and unmasked himself to the delight of the audience who clapped and hooted. Two minutes silence was observed for LGBT members who had either committed suicide or could not summon up enough courage to participate in the parade.

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