Queers take pride of their tribe

Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders (LGBT), hijras and other sexual minorities marched from National College, Basavanagudi to Town Hall for the second consecutive year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the ‘queer pride’ movement in New York.

Mayur Suresh, one of the organisers of the march said “Over 1,000 people are participating in this march today to proclaim gay pride. We are just here to say that irrespective of being gay or straight, it is a wonderful thing.”

Also present to express her support and solidarity with the movement was theatre person Arundhati Nag.

She said, “This is just the beginning and people of sexual minorities have every right to express their preferences and be vocal about their needs.”

Two gay men, Candy and Angel said they were mainly there to protest against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalises homosexuality. Besides of course blaming their parents for the extreme nature of nomenclature among homosexual men.

Meanwhile, a group of over a 100 hijras were present at the march to show their support for the rights movement. Chandni, who had come all the way from Sangama to attend the March said, “We are here to show our unity and solidarity with the movement. It is celebration of who we are as people and we are proud of it.”

Even passers by, who had gathered at the Town Hall seemed sympathetic to
the cause of the sexual minorities.

Ramesh, an employee of Lalbagh who had come there said, “They are human beings who have a right to the same things as all of us. Above all they deserve the same dignity that is accorded to us.”