Hyderabad’s queers to showcase pride through November 13 walk

HYDERABAD: The LGBTQ community of Hyderabad will hold its pride march, titled Queer Swabhimana Yatra, from Charminar to Exhibition Grounds on November 13 after a gap of three years.

Members of the community said there is a need to sensitise the public, especially in the Old City, about LGBTQ rights in society. Around 800 members are expected to take part in the march.

Anil Kumar, an organiser, said that many of them feel unsafe while shopping near Charminar even during the day. “Many are unaware of Section 377 itself, let alone it being decriminalised in 2018. Coexisting in a secular and democratic country needs to be acknowledged. We would like to share our challenges and ask them to give us basic human rights. We have been receiving a lot of calls and support, especially from college youngsters and corporate employees,” Kumar said.

The organisers are also planning a carnival on November 12 at St. Francis College in Begumpet.

 

Patruni Sastry, a classical dancer from the community, who got married last year, said, “Anyone who wishes to show support can take part in the events. Being open about my sexuality is one thing, but being able to walk with pride in my own city is a big deal,” Sastry said.

Neeti Ravindra, a final-year medical student, who is a part of the organising committee, said, “Apart from a walk for visibility, this is a socio-political statement by the community. This walk is to break social stigma. I took part in the previous walk in 2018 at Begumpet. This year, we chose Charminar as it is a conservative area. We want to break into that space and walk with dignity,” Ravindra said.

Members of the transgender community said they are most discriminated against and that the same must be addressed.

Rachana Mudraboyina, a trans rights activist, said, “Few people helped us during the lockdowns and it was mostly the trans community taking care of its own. Trans voices have been silenced a lot, not just in Hyderabad. It is the heteronormative privilege of the society that discriminates and sidelines the trans people and hijra community. We need to celebrate our identity and also have an equal space in the community,” Mudraboyina said.