“It’s completely your right and you are free to choose what you like”, said a 13 year old girl to a group of LGBTIQ people standing on a Sunday evening at MG road asking for free hugs for equality and seeking the public opinion on rights and social stigma towards LGBTIQ in India. She was accompanied by her Mother who looked proudly on her while she gave a support message.
The month of June was chosen for LGBTIQ Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969.
Public stopped to look at the placards and talked about their support for queer rights, their stories about queer friends, daughters/ sons and co-workers, and what will their reaction be if someone from their friends or family came out to them as LGBTIQ. A supporter also said that they want to be a part of PFLAG (Parents , Family and Friends of Lesbian and Gay) in Bangalore.
Some Transgenders from around the world, who were walking by ,saw the event and were so happy that something like this was happening in India freely , joined the cause and stood for free hugs.
“Everyone should have the right to love whomever they want.”, said an IT professional who identified as straight and ally, and gave hug to every volunteer present.
The event was organized and coordinated by a group of queer members belonging to various support and activist group across Bangalore. And they talked to more than 250 people and collected written messages from about 150 people of general public.
As the most of the public was supportive and glad that such event was being held, there were a few who were unsure. A 50 year old catholic lady said that although she found it against the order of nature, everyone had the right to be happy. A 30 year old guy identifying as gay, passing by with his straight friends said that public display of equality and love was not needed and people should exercise their rights in their bedrooms behind closed doors.
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Apart from bringing about awareness to general public about existence and normalcy of Queer, this and similar events instill confidence in the community, bringing the community members together and in turn helping in formation of mutual support groups.
ReplyDeleteAnd even if a single homo/transphobe changed their mind hugging us on the road, or our placards stems a thought in a single closeted LGBT person on the road to lead to path of being true to themselves, this event is worth it.
Congratulations to all the organizers and participants for the big success.
It was an awesome experience for me. Standing there on the road, infront of strangers and asserting my sexuality in front of everyone was liberating. Years ago, I moved out of my hometown because I thought people would not understand me. But during Queer Hugs, I spoke to four punjabi families about alternative sexuality. They hugged me and said It's all right, we support you. That time I knew, yes I can always go back home and be accepted.
ReplyDelete