The gay pride movement has come a long way in Chennai. As one of the earliest or maybe the first self-proclaimed gay activists in the south, it was long overdue for the groups in Chennai to show their strength and make their presence felt in the so-called ‘conservative’ city of Chennai, when the other leading metros had gone ahead and successfully had their Pride rallies over the past few years.
As with previous years, the Chennai Rainbow Coalition has planned a series of events through the month of June (which is celebrated worldwide as Pride Month) — this includes a film festival and a host of cultural performances.
The Chennai Rainbow Coalition is the result of the ‘coming together’ of various LGBT (lesbian gay bisexual transgender) groups under one banner to undertake the pride rally and allied activities. In this coalition, almost all sub-populations of the Sexual Minority communities have a space and presence. Websites, support groups, allied ad hoc support group meetings, counselling centres and so on are available and accessible to people who need to seek support, help or information.
The greatest achievement of the gay activist community in Chennai is the incredible support from the State Government agencies as regards their efforts to empower the transgender community. A Transgender Welfare Board is being instituted — it is the first of its kind in the country and perhaps also the first in the world, apart from Thailand. That for us was a positive beginning and a harbinger of future advocacy initiatives. The Pride rally itself is carried out with the support and help of the police force who ensure security and smooth proceedings. Many allied groups, both from the NGO and government sectors come forward every year to support the LGBT community and be a part of the Pride rally. Even family members of LGBT persons came and participated in the march and the other events.
The author is the founder and director of Sahodaran, a non-profit organisation that works on HIV/AIDS prevention and the promotion of equal rights for sexual minorities in India. Sahodaran received the UNAIDS "Red Ribbon Award 2006" for best grassroots level community work and the NACO (Ministry of Health, Govt.of INDIA) "Red Ribbon Express Award".
For more information on Pride Month in Chennai, visit >chennaipride.orinam.net
