Bhopal finally celebrates pride without any prejudice

City youngsters celebrated the Supreme Court’s judgment, decriminalising homosexuality and spread the message of love...

There was a happy vibe all around as people came out on streets to be a part of the celebration soon after the judgment on Sec 377 came out. After much struggle and protest, the country has been able to see this day.

Bhopal

has always been an active participant in the protest against the law and to support the LGBTQ in whatever way possible. The city also has an active LGBTQ community. The

pride

parade committee of the city organised a celebration lakeside and we spoke to the revelers about their joy and unbound happiness on the decision...

‘WE ALL CAN NOW LOVE WITH PRIDE’
‘’Na umr ki ho seema na janm ka ho bandhan jab pyaar kare koi to dekhe kewal mann’’..famous ghazal by Jagjit Singh defined love so effortlessly. The verdict on Sec 377 has proven that love has no boundaries, it has generated hope in lakhs of people that the court is for the people. Hats off to the decision makers!”

— Anindita Roy, Psychologist

‘ROOTING FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY’

“I want to thank the Supreme Court to pass the judgment in our favour. It was long due. The first thing I want to do now is to marry my boyfriend, also we have been in a live-in relationship and were raising two kids, now I can openly do that in public without any fear or shame. I believe there is still a lot to fight for in terms of the mindsets of the public as orthodox people still continue to live in the society.” —Devi Rani, president, Kinnar Samaj.

‘CHEERS FOR EQUALITY’

“If you really aspire for a better and progressive world, the very first thing you should practice is shedding regressions and conservations in any certain form. Towards this change, we all have to make our children believe that there isn't any hierarchy, there isn't anyone superior or inferior.” —Rahul Roye, filmmaker

‘IT’S JUST THE BEGINNING’

For some the celebrations have just begun but for others its just a beginning for the challenges and other fights to follow for a complete peaceful society for LGBTQIA, “I am extremely happy with the decision of supreme court, but I feel there is still a lot to conquer for us to be given an equal status in the society. For example, when we penalise a crime, it reduces in number but it still takes place. I guess it's going to be just the same for us. Hopefully, the police and other citizens would not treat us as aliens now but still, there’s a long way to go” as shared by Silambarasa Paramshivam, bisexual

‘I WOULD PLAN MY FAMILY’

“I can't express my happiness in words, I am thankful to the Chief Justice and others involved in the decision. Now I feel that I am equal to other citizens of the country and can live life freely. I was in a live-in relationship but was always scared since it was not allowed, now that we have been given the rights, I wish to raise a ____ child and start my own family in near future. I believe that the judgment has changed but still, people need to bring change in themselves and respect our community. We have been subjected to violence and didn’t get any support from the legal system but now I guess treatment towards us would also be better and we can sustain without any fear.”, shared by Sanjana Singh Rajput, transgender.‘21ST CENTURY FOR INDIA HAS BEGUN’I think it’s a progressive way forward and I have always been pretty supportive of the community. I firmly believe that the decisions taken by the five panellists are marvellous because it's on humanitarian ground. They have also said that its not a biological fault but it is how one is born. But unfortunately, there are certain groups in the country which are saying that they agree with what the court has said, but they don’t appreciate it. Acceptance by the society is needed now. The best part is that the judiciary is one of our pillars and it has spoken. This is India’s step in the 21st century and a step towards becoming a global citizen. Bhasker Indrakanti, academic entrepreneur‘LOVE CAN FINALLY TASTE FREEDOM’Nobody will have to hide under a garb of something which they are not. The Supreme Court proved its supremacy by deciding in favor of humanity. The draconian view of the colonial rulers is not needed anymore in this peace-loving country. Nobody is illegal anymore, and the fight for self-respect and dignity has finally ended. The country is eventually becoming the one in which I want to reside in. Deepika Yadav, student

‘SUCCESSFULLY ! DECRIMINALISED’ :All our friends need our hugs right not because they need it but because they deserve it. The decriminalization is just a beginning of a new era, and there are a lot of things which are awaiting our intervention. I feel the battle has just begun because the society is still ho-1 mophobic and the mentality of the people too has to change. Even though the injustice was done to the people cannot be changed now, but at least they can live a life of dignity. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow has been finally discovered in 2018. Hemant Patel, student‘I CAN FACE MY PARENTS’“As soon as I heard about the news, I started dancing on the road without any fear or shyness. I think I am the happiest of all. Now I can face my parents and they will also understand and would not be worried about me committing any crime. I proudly can admit that I belong to the LGBTQ and not a minority anymore. The judgment has given us the right to be at par with other citizens. Hopefully, the constables won't treat us, criminals, any more and we would not have to listen to their nasty comments.” – Rajan Negi, gay

- Farzana Patowari pics: Vishesh Sharma