Route Map, Timing of 2012 Mumbai Queer Azaadi March
Starting Point: August Kranti Maidan
Ending Point: Girgaon Chowpatty (near Cafe Ideal)
Date of March: Jan 28, 2012
Assembly Time: 2:00 pm
Starting Time: 3:00 pm
March Route: August Kranti Maidan – Nana Chowk – (left) Grant Road – (right) Lamington Road – (right) SVP Road Opera House – Over Warerkar Bridge – Girgaon Chowpatty
[NOTE: Click on the map to enlarge the route map]
Annual Mumbai Queer Azaadi March or Bombay Gay Pride Parade – Jan 28, 2012
Mumbai’s LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) community will take out its annual “Queer Azaadi March” (QAM) or Mumbai Gay Pride Parade on January 28, 2012 (Saturday). The 2012 Queer Azaadi March starts from August Kranti Maidan, Bombay, at 3:00 pm. The closest rail link to August Kranti Maidan is Grant Road.
This is the fourth year for the annual Queer Azaadi March. In the past it has also been called the ‘Rainbow Walk’, since the rainbow is a symbol for diversity.
In the run up to the Mumbai Queer Azaadi March, the organizers will hold the below activities to spread awareness for their cause:
- Live performance by the Hijra community and band “Agnee”, at Carter Road Amphitheatre, on Jan 5 at 6:00pm.
- Photo, Cartoon, Caricature Contest against prejudice. Pictures will be displayed at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Chembur on Jan 21 and Jan 22. Picture submitted by Jan 10. Visit the Queer Azaadi March website for details.
- “Yaariyan” is organizing a Flash Mob. Interested participants should come to “The Humsafar Trust”, 3rd Floor, Manthan Plaza, Vakola, Santacruz (E). Date is Jan 8 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Dev Kakad will choreograph the flash mob.
What is the “Queer Azaadi March”
The LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) community is a sexual minority group which many in the Indian society do not recognize. Indian law too has omissions and discriminations against them. In the words of the organizers of the march, “Queer Azaadi March is an expression, a voice, a celebration and a platform to ask for equal rights of these individuals conducted in form of an annual parade in Mumbai”.
Objectives and Demands of the “Queer Azaadi March”
- To fight for equal rights for the LGBTI community. Raise their voice against the discrimination against the LGBT community. The LGBTI community wants their equal space in Indian society and their right as equal citizens in a democratic India.
- The Indian constitution should include provisions to deal with all discrimination on the grounds of sexuality or gender.
- Transgender and Intersex persons are not recognized by society and in many cases by the law. Equal citizen rights should be the right of such persons who do not fit into either the male or female classification.
- Society forces members of the LGBTI community to marry people of the opposite sex, even though in most cases this brings grief to both the partners and their families. Society needs to be sensitized to this and forced marriages should be opposed. The medical community too needs to be more sensitive.
- Freedom from violence and hate against LGBTI members within families, educational institutions, the work place and in public spaces. End to homophobia and transphobia.
Repeal of Section 377 – Victory for India’s LGBTI Community
On July 2, 2009, the Delhi High Court passed a landmark decision for the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex). The antiquated and draconian Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code was read down. Indian police can no longer arrest consenting same sex adults for private sexual acts.
D’Kloset in Mumbai for Gay Fashion
D’Kloset in Bandra, Mumbai is the hub of gay fashion in Mumbai. Just before the gay pride march, the store is doing roaring business selling wigs, masks, costumes, feather boas, etc. Inder Vhatwar is the owner of D’Kloset.
3rd 2012 Mumbai International Gay Film Festival – Kashish
The third Mumbai International Queer (Gay) Film Festival 2012 – Kashish, will be held from May 23 to May 27, 2012. The film festival is organized by “Bombay Dost”, “The Humsafar Trust” and “Solaris Pictures”.
Last year 124 films from 23 countries were screened. Film makers can submit their movies for screening at Kashish. Details of the 2012 Mumbai Queer film festival can be found on their website.
