On July 2 last year, the Delhi High Court ruled that outlawing gay sex acts between consenting male adults was discriminatory and a "violation of fundamental rights" as a result of an 8-year legal battle. While the government has said it will not oppose the judgement, opponents have petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court order.
In the south, Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu and Thrissur, the fourth largest city in Kerala, will both hold pride marches on June 27 and July 2 respectively. It would be the second annual march for Chennai on the southeastern coast and the first for Thrissur on the southwestern coast.
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, will hold its second march on July 3. Country Director of co-organiser Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India (SAATHII) told Fridae: "More than 200 people are expected to participate, with considerable media attention. Last year the TV channels and newspapers were flooded with news of the first walk, given that it was the first time such a controversial topic was being made visible in Orissa."
Having held gay pride parades in June for the past two years, organisers in Delhi told Fridae that the city will have its parade on the last Sunday of November from now due to the summer heat wave where the mercury nearly crossed the 45-degree mark this week. The city is however expected to have public events on July 2 to commemorate the court verdict. Details to be announced soon.
Organisers of Mumbai’s Queer Azaadi March announced on its website that a celebration-cum-protest rally will be held on July 2 at Azaad Maidan, a historically significant venue where political rallies are typically held. The rally calls for “an end to homophobia, biphobia and transphobia” and “freedom from violence and hate within families, in educational institutions, at places of work and in public spaces”. Organisers say they are launching a campaign against all forced marriages as “every individual is under tremendous pressure to marry a person of the opposite sex, as marriage is seen as a must in our society”.
Bhubaneswar, Orissa
Rainbow Pride Walk
Date: July 3, 2010
Walk Time: From 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Route: From Master canteen square to Subham market complex, via Ram mandir
Associated activities: A solidarity gathering and candlelight vigil will be organised at Subham market complex (at the walk destination point) from 4.30pm till evening.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Chennai Rainbow Pride March 2010
Website: chennaipride.orinam.net
Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010
Time: 3.30pm - 6.30pm (please assemble at 3 pm)
Venue: Marina Beach: Starts on the service lane behind the Triumph of Labour Statue, Anna Square, Chepauk, Chennai
Delhi
Date: Friday, July 2, 2010
Details to be announced.
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Date: Friday, July 2, 2010
Venue: Azaad Maidan
Website: queerazaadi.wordpress.com
Thrissur, Kerala
Queer Pride Keralam 2010
Website: queerpridekeralam.blogspot.com
Pride March: Friday, July 2, 2010
Time: 5pm
Venue: Regional Theatre, Thrissur
Assemble at the regional theatre at 4pm. The Parade will start at 5pm and will come back to the regional theatre taking a circle of the Thrissur round. Performances from 6pm.