Post Date: Post Date – Tuesday, November 1st, 12:40pm
The city first witnessed the Rainbow Parade in 2013, and every year since then, more and more people have joined the parade.
Hyderabad: The city’s pride parade, Hyderabad queer Swabhimana Yatra will make a comeback after three years on November 13. Citizens from the LGBTQ community and allies will walk hand in hand to create awareness and seek acceptance.
Anil, founder of the Mobbera Foundation and one of the pride march organizers, said the march will be led by representatives of all genders.
“We’ve been unable to celebrate ‘Pride’ for the past three years due to the pandemic, and that’s what makes this year’s Pride March special. Plus, we’re all very excited about the fact that many community members will be participating in the parade for the first time,” he said.
The city first saw the Rainbow Parade in 2013, and since then, more and more people take part in the parade year after year, making it one of the most dynamic parades in the country. This year, more than 1,000 people are expected to attend, of which about 30% will become allies.
Although Section 377 was legalized in 2018, there is still a long way to go to achieve a gender-inclusive society. “Suppressing Section 377 is just a small step in the right direction. We still don’t have proper adoption rights and the law doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage. Pride marches like this help us sensitize people and create a A more tolerant society,” Anil said.
“We are seeking permission from the authorities to start the parade in the city. This will be a great opportunity for us to debunk the myths of the queer community,” they said, adding that the pride parade will also include a range of cultural events.
Wear a mask to avoid stigma
Organisers said individuals who were reluctant to attend for fear of revealing their identities could wear masks to participate in the parade. The event has no dress code, giving people the option to dress however they want and embrace their authentic selves.
