Awadh Queer Pride

The first Awadh Queer Pride Parade, was held on 9 April 2017, exactly 18 years after India's first Queer Pride Parade in Kolkata.[1] It saw at least 300 people marching hand in hand, waving rainbow flags or wearing its colours.[2] Many of them had come from as far away as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Jaipur.[3] It was organised by Awadh Queer Pride Committee.

Sayed Raza Hussain Zaidi, One of the organizers of Awadh Queer Pride at 4th Awadh Queer Pride Walk.

The parade saw gatherings of hundreds of people, as they marched together in solidarity along the 1.5 km stretch from the Sikandarbagh crossing to the General Post Office Hazratganj.[4] The streets were awash with colour and cheer as the procession was cheered on by local supporters.[5] The Pride saw around 300 people, many pouring in from as far away as Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Jaipur. Many allies and parents of LGBTQIA+ individuals were also present to offer support and solidarity.[6]

This image is from the Awadh Queer Pride March which annually happens in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Politics

The last decade has seen a rise in the visibility of the lgbtqia+ community. The march was a huge victory for the lgbtia community since, Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh is known for its heritage and culture and hence is highly conscious of its society.[5] Lucknow especially has a highly conservative community, and concerns were raised as to how the general people would react to the march.[4]

Second Awadh Queer Pride Walk

The second Pride Parade or ‘Walk for Equality’ in Lucknow took place on 11 February 2018. It was organised by the Awadh Queer Pride Committee and Davesh Singh Yadavendra was one of its key organizers.[7] The march started from Rana Pratap Marg[7] and concluded at the General Post Office in Hazratganj. In celebration of the second march the distance was increased from 1.5 km to 2.5 km.[7] At its conclusion, people read out poems on justice and equality. The march witnessed the participation of people from across the country. People carried placards which said-“Nawabi queers will crush the patriarchy”.[8] It was a celebration of the 2017 Privacy Judgement for the community but also an attempt described by Davesh Singh to-“raise voice again discrimination on the basis of gender, class, caste, religion, ability, race, tribe, ethnicity and sexual orientation”.[9]

References
  1. "In Photos: Celebrating Love at Lucknow's First Gay Pride Parade". The Quint. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  2. "'Nation truly free when all walk with dignity' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  3. Fareed, Faisal. "Lucknow holds its first Queer Pride Parade: They marched 1.5 km, but their message went a long way". Scroll.in. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  4. "It Was Love And #GoodVibesOnly At Lucknow's First Ever Gay Pride Parade!". The Better India. 11 April 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  5. "Lucknow just held its first Pride Parade and it was truly magnificent". Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  6. Team, F. I. I. (11 April 2017). "In A First, Lucknow Holds Uttar Pradesh's Awadh Queer Pride Parade". Feminism In India. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  7. "A dance of joy at the Awadh Queer Pride walk in Lucknow - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  8. ANI (12 February 2018). "Lucknow hosts queer pride parade". Business Standard India. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  9. "Lucknow hosts queer pride walk". hindustantimes.com/. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.


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