On Sunday, June 29, cities like San Francisco, Toronto and New York will host their annual Gay Pride Parade where several thousand people of alternate sexuality gather to march, sing, hold speeches, and celebrate their choices. In a historic move, gay activists in India plan a simultaneous march in Delhi and Bangalore. The only difference being that the organisers hope at least a 100 people will show up.Coming out of the closet has always been a struggle for Indians. For the Queer Pride march in Delhi, organisers have offered participants masks in case they’re not comfortable revealing their identity. The march is a perfect opportunity for gay people in Delhi to come out. There is strength in numbers. The idea behind it is to confront issues facing the gay community in India, namely social acceptance by their peers and family. Stories on Indian lesbian couples, ostracised by their families for staying together, hit the headlines fairly regularly. Homosexuality remains illegal, although countries like America have finally acknowledged that it is undeniable. Two weeks ago, in another first ever move, California became the second US state to permit same-sex marriages.Though India lags far behind in recognising homosexuals as an integral part of our social fabric, there has been an increase in gay activism, at least in urban areas. Websites like gaybombay.com have thousands of members and it is listed in Wikipedia, the online dictionary. Voices against 377 is a coalition of NGOs fighting Article 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalises homosexuality. The Naaz Foundation has also filed a petition challenging the constitutional validity of Article 377. Two hearings have already taken place. Irrespective of how the first Queer Pride March in Delhi turns out, it is a landmark event for gay people that can only give the movement more strength. Priests in California conduct same-sex marriages with the line, “I now pronounce you spouses for life”. The term “marriage” has been redefined for ever.
