LGBTs come out of closet,to march for pride,identity tomorrow

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Central,Ashish Kapoor said,“We were asked if the march would create a law and order problem in the city and we have issued a no objection certificate in the same.”

While the DC office and the police reportedly have no objection,the PU’s Dean Student Welfare (DSW) Dr A S Ahluwalia is still waiting the permission letter till the filing of this report.

“We have so far received no information on the parade. The university has its own sanctity,so we will not allow any outside organisation to come and hold an event here. However,if the students of the university are organising,then we will permit them.”

Pride Parades have been organised in other cities of the country,but this will be Chandigarh’s first.

The organisers are confident and according to them,irrespective of permission,“We will carry out the march through Gate number-2 of the university,” says Dhananjay Chauhan,president of the Saksham Trust.

“Our aim is to let the people of Chandigarh know that the LGBTQ community exists and it is time that we are also accorded equal rights as other individuals of the society. We want to sensitise people towards our community members,open up their minds and respect us,our identity and sexuality,” he added.

The parade will halt at three places and talks and speeches will be held at this space to create awareness among the general public. Chauhan agrees that it was not easy to organise this event.

“It has been tough. It is disappointing that we could not get any sponsors for the event. None of the institutions we approached,agreed to sponsor our event,as they do not want their name associated with our community,” he rues. However,he added that the Chandigarh Police has been co-operative and also helped in earmarking the locations.

“It took us an year to work on this event,and six months to organise,get clearances and permissions from the DC office and police protection. We were in talks with other LGBT communities and their experiences in holding such parades. We are prepared for trouble,if any,” says Rubina Singh of Hollaback,another NGO,who have associated themselves with the march.

With the event already a hit on Facebook,Singh is expecting a decent turnout,including from the city’s own LGBT online group Younique. “It is a starting point,an icebreaker and we want people to question,to talk,to understand,” she says adding that the LGBTQ community need not hide their identity by wearing masks or scarves.

“Legally,we are moving ahead with LGBTQ community being recognised in the National Youth Policy,but socially,the community is nowhere,” says Rubina.