2008 Woodie Awards
Bombay's first Gay Pride Parade offers new insights
Blog dispatch from students in India
Kassiopia Rodgers
Issue: 7/14/08 Section: summer in india
Posted August 20, 2008
August Kranti Maidan, kya hua hai? We have learned that in order to find what you want in Mumbai, you either take a cab or ask around until you stumble across it. I was in search of history, a small piece of it at least, at Mumbai's first Gay Pride Parade. After traversing several back alleys, I arrived at what immediately struck me as pure insanity.
An estimated 2000 marchers and demonstrators chanted, sang and danced with an exuberance that could only come from a group long oppressed by larger society. I made my way to the center of the parade, the resounding chant, "We are here, we are queer, we are marching without fear," cascading over the crowd. Fighting the outdated Article 377 brought about by the British more than 100 years ago that states, "Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature… shall be punishable with imprisonment for life." This law in turn makes homosexuality illegal throughout India and is currently up for petition in the court system.
Blocking an entire intersection were journalists pushing their way through to the marchers and people dancing vivaciously in the streets, as the police worked to control it all. The heat and humidity was overwhelming, but that did not phase the mass of patrons who chose to come out for the cause.
For the first time since arriving in Mumbai, the gender ratio was balanced--women even outnumbering men in some spots. As I walked side by side with these women and men, I couldn't help but feel extremely happy for them. Their smiles and cheers were of genuine liberation, after having worked for several months to organize a march many believed would never happen.
Expectedly, a slight air of discretion was upheld with some of the patrons partially to fully covering their faces with Mardi Gras masks. I spoke with a woman whose face was completely covered and, she explained, "I cover my face for my work, my boss is extremely homophobic." With an undeniable excitement in her voice she added, "I am one of them, I'm out to my family and friends, but I must wear this to keep my job."
August Kranti Maidan, kya hua hai? We have learned that in order to find what you want in Mumbai, you either take a cab or ask around until you stumble across it. I was in search of history, a small piece of it at least, at Mumbai's first Gay Pride Parade. After traversing several back alleys, I arrived at what immediately struck me as pure insanity.
An estimated 2000 marchers and demonstrators chanted, sang and danced with an exuberance that could only come from a group long oppressed by larger society. I made my way to the center of the parade, the resounding chant, "We are here, we are queer, we are marching without fear," cascading over the crowd. Fighting the outdated Article 377 brought about by the British more than 100 years ago that states, "Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature… shall be punishable with imprisonment for life." This law in turn makes homosexuality illegal throughout India and is currently up for petition in the court system.
Blocking an entire intersection were journalists pushing their way through to the marchers and people dancing vivaciously in the streets, as the police worked to control it all. The heat and humidity was overwhelming, but that did not phase the mass of patrons who chose to come out for the cause.
For the first time since arriving in Mumbai, the gender ratio was balanced--women even outnumbering men in some spots. As I walked side by side with these women and men, I couldn't help but feel extremely happy for them. Their smiles and cheers were of genuine liberation, after having worked for several months to organize a march many believed would never happen.
Expectedly, a slight air of discretion was upheld with some of the patrons partially to fully covering their faces with Mardi Gras masks. I spoke with a woman whose face was completely covered and, she explained, "I cover my face for my work, my boss is extremely homophobic." With an undeniable excitement in her voice she added, "I am one of them, I'm out to my family and friends, but I must wear this to keep my job."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 16
Lauren Padgett
posted 8/21/08 @ 2:09 AM PST
I wish everyone could just be who they are inside, and not have to hide their feelings of love from others, just because they're different. Living on Capitol Hill has given me a great sensitive awareness of this issue and I get angry when people cite religion or tradition as reason to suffocate true, human tendencies and emotions. (Continued…)
Alyss Tsukayama
posted 8/21/08 @ 10:20 AM PST
I think that this parade is so inspirational. For something like this to happen in a society that is deep rooted in religion and tradition is amazing. (Continued…)
Veronica Martin
posted 8/21/08 @ 10:42 AM PST
it's still hard to hear that people can't come out in the workplace, though they can at home and in public. hopefully, perhaps even next year, the parade will be filled with fully displayed faces to match the proud voices. (Continued…)
anne-davis
posted 8/22/08 @ 12:55 AM PST
I didn't attend the parade and now I am regretting it. It sounds like it was a lot of fun. It is difficult to conceptualize what the homosexual community has to go through here, especially since we come from Seattle. (Continued…)
erica webster
Erica Webster
posted 8/22/08 @ 5:43 AM PST
i felt like being in that march was being a part of history. I feel good about myself. Go Bombay gays. way to stand up and make it happen. im so proud for their gay pride. (Continued…)
Mat Lohr
posted 8/23/08 @ 3:31 PM PST
Why didnt you drag me out of that lobby chair and force me to go. I dont know why i didnt, and i regret seeing a piece of history made. Im glad that India is moving forward in this debate though because It is something that cannot be ignored and should not be ignored. (Continued…)
Melissa Heintz
posted 8/24/08 @ 8:44 AM PST
After reading your blog, I wish I would have attended the parade. I'm surprised that you said that the gender ratio was almost even with women sometimes outnumbering the men because looking at the streets in Mumbai men clearly outnumber the women. (Continued…)
Melissa Heintz
posted 8/24/08 @ 8:48 AM PST
After reading your blog, I wish I would have attended the parade. I'm surprised that you said that the gender ratio was almost even with women sometimes outnumbering the men because looking at the streets in Mumbai men clearly outnumber the women. (Continued…)
Brittany Eddings
posted 8/24/08 @ 10:09 AM PST
The look of empowerment and joy on the faces of the faces captured in your photos sent a thrill of excitement through my insides. I thought it was striking to hear that there were so many women participating as well. (Continued…)
Jessica Miller
posted 8/25/08 @ 4:35 PM PST
I am bummed that I didn't go to the parade, but I am glad that you shed some light on the happenings of the day. It is so strange to me that the seemingly overt homosexuality of men holding hands on the street is just a fascade, and that it is still an unsupported lifestyle choice in the largest democracy in the world. (Continued…)
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