When Coimbatore witnessed its first pride march of LGBTQ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) in 2009, there were only five people to take part in the event. With Chennai-based Sahodari Foundation hosting the second pride festival in Coimbatore from July 25 after a gap of 10 years, the organisers expect a footfall of not less than 200 people for the pride march to be held on the second week of August.
According to Kalki Subramaniam of Sahodari Foundation, the pride festival has a string of events that feature the struggle of LGBTQ people and their survival.
The festival will start with an event titled ‘Shut Up!' on July 25 where more than 250 transgenders will share their experiences of fighting for LGBTQ rights.
“The poster of the pride festival features revolutionary poet Bharathiar whose poems have always been inspiration for transpeople. In one of the works he says that “we shall not fear even if we become beggars”. This connects much to the transgenders as they are often forced to beg,” said Ms. Subramaniam.
The session Queer and Disability on July 27 will feature differently abled transgenders who have fought for their gender rights and acceptance in society. The session will also have an exhibition of works by an amputee transgender artist.
The organisers have teamed up with educational institutions in the city to host various programmes with the participation of the students.
Dr. SNS Rajalakshmi College Of Arts and Science, Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College, PSG College of Arts and Science and Park Group of Institutions have extended solidarity to the organisers to conduct various events of the pride festival, said organisers.
Organisers can be contacted at reachsahodari@gmail.com, 76397-41916 for partnership and volunteering for the pride festival.
