Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
…AM HAPPY ’COZ ‘I WAS BORN THIS WAY’!
The streets of Lucknow were covered in rainbow hues as around 400 people came together to participate in the second Awadh Queer Pride ‘Walk for Equality’ on Sunday afternoon.
Confidence and spunk was visible with members flaunting their love by hugging each other and dancing and shouting slogans against section 377 of the IPC (that criminalises sexual activities against the order of nature).
An overcast sky and drizzle failed to dampen their spirit. After all ‘There’s nothing wrong with loving who you are’, a participant quoted a line from their ‘anthem song’ (Born this way), sung by Lady Gaga.
The members took out the march from Rana Pratap Marg crossing and as it progressed, their numbers, including that of supporters, swelled.
‘Tum na doge to cheen ke lenge…aazdi. Hum choom ke lengey…azadi…hai humara haq (If you will not give us freedom then we will take it. Freedom is our right),’ shouted Tanzeel Ahmed, an MBA student and co-organiser of Awadh Pride Committee. In the same vein, someone shouted, “Kaunsa kanoon sabse bataar?” and everyone chorused, “(section) 377-377.”
Flashing the symbolic flag and posing for shutterbugs, Lisa of Humsafar Trust from Delhi said, “Last year’s Lucknow pride walk was my first and I am happy to see that love is in the air in this city of culture. I hope and pray that the city becomes more sensitive and supportive towards the community.” Nayab from Mumbai too joined her.
The walk was organised for the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/ questioning, intersex and asexual) community against the oppressive attacks and varied forms of discrimination, said organiser Darvesh Singh Yadavendra.
“We celebrated the judgment on right to privacy but legal rights are valueless till the society accepts it. In a larger perspective, we raise voice again discrimination on the basis of gender, class, caste, religion, ability, race, tribe, ethnicity and sexual orientation,” he added.
Annu, a cross-dresser, whose real name is Subhash, became emotional. “Love is flowing like blood in my veins. It is a big occasion for us and hence I am dressed up like a woman. I am proud of what I am.”Many men were seen wearing lipsticks, nose pins, large nath, bangles, lehnga and other feminine ensemble.
Abeer, a Lucknow native currently working in Varanasi, came to take part in his second walk. Priyam too came all the way from Delhi for the pride walk.
Sanatkada founder Madhavi Kuckreja was also seen lending support to the cause. “Everyone should have a right to be the way they want to be. Last year also my team was here to support them,” she said.
Other than members of the community, a good number of supporters also joined the walk. “These allies are our support system. Their gesture means a lot for us. As for those who do not understand our beliefs, I request them to not hate us,” said Megha Nandi (working in a private firm) and Nalini (BTech student).
The walk culminated at General Post Office crossing amidst tight security with the participants raising the placards reading: ‘Love has no gender’, ‘We exist’, ‘Homophobia has to go’ and ‘Pink is not gender colour.’
The state capital also witnessed a solo play by Mona Ambegaonkar— ‘Ek Madhav Baug.’ The community members gathered together amid placard reading, ‘I’m beautiful in my way; ‘Cause God makes no mistakes; I’m on the right track, baby I was born this way.’