A little more than two years after the decriminalization of homosexuality in India, and the country’s LGBT community is taking huge strides forward: Some 2,500 marchers participated in the fourth Mumbai Queer Pride Walk on Saturday, reports Gay Star News.
The procession was the culmination of the weeklong Queer Azaadi Mumbai and spanned from the center of the city to the beach. “People really started dancing once the drums went off,” said parade co-organizer Pallav Patankar, who noticed how much more supportive authorities were than in past years. “Last year we felt that we were pushed into a corner and the police made us walk really fast,’ said Patankar. “This time the police said ‘take your time, we’re not going to bother you.’” Patankar also said he saw few people hiding their faces behind masks, a common sight at LGBT rallies in parts of the world where homosexuality is illegal or taboo.
India has been playing catch-up with the West in terms of acceptance of gays and lesbians, but it may be the pink rupee that leads the way: In November, a first-ever conference on LGBT tourism was helpd in New Delhi.
Photo: Fractal Enlightenment
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Phantom
Yay! Good news so far for lbgt community in india
jake
There are gays in India???!!!??!!
Ogre Magi
Hmmm, now I am hungry for some spicy curry buns!
decolonizeyourhistory
India only has to “catch up” with the West (you mean canada, the US, w. europe, australia) because the british colonizers instituted the sodomy laws and homophobic attitudes when they occupied present-day India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
the title “a changing country” implies that the homophobic US of A isn’t changing or that India has been the same for a long time, both of which are insane.
@ogre: if all you know of a country is some of its food, please sit out of the discussion
DECOLONIZE YOUR HISTORY ugh. racism is not a good look for this site
David Aventura
@decolonizeyourhistory: I applaud your statements and appreciate you vigor. Nonetheless, you might want to rethink India before you start hurling racist stones at others. After all, this is the “India, Incredible India” that Louisiana’s David Duke put on a pedestal for its racist caste system. Oh wait, are you one of those Indians that claims it really doesn’t exist except in the most remote parts of India (of which there are many)? In other words, the racist pot shouldn’t be calling the kettle black.
TASTEY GOODIES
The 1st girl I fell in love with was an Indian girl named Shazi. She was sooo sweet!