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Pride Parade in Chennai for the first time...Its never too late..

by archita | July 1, 2009 at 08:16 am

257 views | 39 Recommendations | 3 comments

those eyes spoke of sorrow....

with stories of unrivaled lust....

they spoke of anger and wonder....

they asked for hope....

like they were waiting

waiting colors to come in…

waiting for their pride to triumph

waiting for hollow words to end….

waiting,

and waiting….

something tells me they will fight...

something tells me they will win...

something tells me they will find what they seek..

life is not that cruel...

life is not that mulish..

love can heal anything....

something tells me they will live happy...

and will die satisfied....

June 28th '09 was a day of delight, a day filled with color, a day that screamed justice. Lesbians’, Gays', Bi-sexuals’ and Transgenders’ of Chennai celebrated their day of Pride with rainbow colours. They shouted loud onto the faces of the so called ‘Literates’ of the Society’ that they are Different, they are Normal and they are Proud to be this way.

The scorching summer heat of Chennai did not dampen the spirits of the LGBT community and their family and friends, who partied down the long stretch of the Marina Beach with immense joy and pride. Many activists of the LGBT community worked hard to make this day a reality. They had to fight against the firm and stringent norms of the society and push their limits to help bring pride to their community. To name a few activists that I have heard of - Sunil Menon, Director of Sahodaran a Counsel on HIV/AIDS and Sexuality and Gender issues, Kalki, Activist/advocate and the founder of Sahodari Foundation, an NGO for the economic and social empowerment of Indian Transgenders, Magdalene Jayarathnam ,Mental heath counselor ,Human Rights activists Arvind Narrain, Sumathi and Deepika Nath and many more.

The sights and sounds of the parade will never be forgotten by those who were a part of the fun and frolic. There were balloons, streams, music, dance, smiles, laughs, screams, colorful clothes, colorful hats and the most attractive were the banners that conveyed so much in such little words. There were individuals belonging to different age groups, different cultures, views, approaches yet there was no sense of discrimination, hate or judgments; it was like One Big Family Union.

I am proud to be a part of such a day of Pride and Glory, not only to the LGBT community and supporters but also to the society at large. It is clear that the society is opening up to possibilities and are ready to broaden their horizon.

Justice is just a step away and we are nearly there. Do not look back!!!

Photographs by:Roshni Menon,Chennai,India

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dipankar Mukherjee (not verified)

at 09:17 on July 1st, 2009

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

A Pride Parade in CHENNAI!!!!!! i am so thrilled and excited that kudos to all that organised it! here in Minneapolis Pangea World Theater and it's its Board and Community worked with the local LGBTQ community to be a part of this necessary and historic event!

i am so proud of the fact that you all made it happen!

always count on our support from across the ocean!

archita

at 11:30 on July 1st, 2009

it is a moment of pride.....and am glad i witnessed it

how did the parade in Minneapolis go.....you must also upload photographs if you can.... :o)

Rhonda J Mangus

at 16:40 on July 1st, 2009

Thank you very much for this story, archita. Would you mind adding the tag "sexuality" so it will also appear on NowPublic Health/Human Sexuality channel. Thanks!