A walk for pride and awareness

Senior Police Inspector Bhanupratap Barge in charge of the Faraskhana police station handed over roses to all participants conveying the message that as long as the community works within the legal framework,they don’t need to be afraid of the police.

The walk kicked off at 11.30 am from Pune Sarvajanik Sabha and proceeded via Lakshmi Road,Bajirao Road and headed back to the starting point via Shivaji Road.

Sonal Giani and Umang,two groups from Mumbai,led the march.

“We thought it would be great for these two groups to lead the march because in Pune although the gay and Hijra organisations are doing well,it not the same for the lesbian and bisexual community,” says Bindumadhav Khire,President of Samapathik Trust.

Members from the gay support group — Prayatna — and also a group of Hijras participated in the walk. Members from the Light of Asia Socio Trust,an MSM,Hijra and gay support community from Hingoli district also took part.

Although there was 30 per cent participation from the non-LGBT community in the march,Khire felt they need to get a better response from others. “There are many who support us in a clandestine way,” says Khire,adding that they have witnessed a 5 per cent increase in the participation since last year.

The other groups that participated in the march were CFAR,an advocacy group; Wake Up Pune,which works in creating awareness of HIV; Alochana,which deals with child abuse; and Samyak,which works with adolescent education and LGBT issues. Members from Masoom,which deals with women related issues,was led by Manisha Gupta and team.