The sound of drum beats, the rainbow flag and bright coloured hats, clothes, jackets made the stretch of road between Tulsi park and Town Hall colourful and lively. The event, which was organised by the Campaign for Sexworkers & Sexuality Minorities Rights (CSMR), brought together the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and their supporters for a pride march on Sunday.
The pride march, part of the Karnataka Queer Habba, turned into a celebration after the crowds danced in the light drizzle. Sharath Cheloor, an LGBT activist, called the parade a “festival of diversity”.
The aim of the campaign was to protest against violence aimed at sexuality minorities and demand for the rights of the LGBT community. The protesters demanded that free Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) and hormone replacement treatment be done in government hospitals. Besides this, their other demands include programmes in educational institutions to address homophobia.
Apart from the members of the LGBT community, a large number of supporters too took part in the event. Archana, one of the participants, felt the parade was a method to educate the public. “I am here to show my support and solidarity and show that all of us are equal,” she said.
