'Queer Swabhimana Yatra': LGBTQ community marches through Hyderabad; calls for treating all humans equally

Hyderabad: Hyderabad roads were filled with all the rainbow colors on Sunday as nearly 500 people participated in the Pride walk. After a 3-year hiatus, the LGBTQIA+ community in Hyderabad held their pride walk on Sunday evening.

The pride march, also locally known as `Queer Swabhimana Yatra' began at 1 pm at Sundaraiah Park, Baghlingampally, and ended at Dharna Chowk, Indira Park.

"It just felt right. And there's just so much love in the air," said Akriti, a transwoman who participated in the walk. This wasn't Akriti's first walk. She had participated in many walks in Mumbai and other cities before. "But this was definitely the best. There were so many allies- it just made me so happy," she said.

From bisexuals to gays to transpersons, there were participants from multiple genders and sexual identities. From primary school girls to elderly mothers, people from different age groups too participated in the walk.

A 3-year-old was spotted walking- wearing the pride flag like a cape. She was just there with her sister-in-law to show that 'no one should be judged. A mother was spotted holding a placard: 'I love my trans child'.

"I met the world where I belong, where no one treats me badly or never discriminates against me on the basis of my gender identity and sexuality," said Sai Krishna Damarla (also known as Tara) who identifies as a gender fluid person. "I felt like this is my house and these people are my family who treats all humans equally rather than classifying them into binary sections," Sai said.

This was Sai's first pride walk. As the pride came to an end, Sai was fumbling for words. Before the words came to him, he said he didn't know which words to pick to explain one of the happiest moments of his life. This is the first pride march since Section 377 has been scrapped. The Supreme Court struck down Section 377 which criminalizes gay sex in 2018.

Sandipan Kushary, one of the organizers said that due to the pandemic the pride march couldn't be conducted. Around 40 policemen were stationed across rally points to control the crowd and ensure everything proceeded smoothly.

Additional 40-50 volunteers from various LGBTQIA+ support groups were deployed for crowd control and other activities.