Delhi witnesses its first gay parade

New Delhi, Jun 29 (UNI) In perhaps the first ever co-ordinated effort, gays, lesbians and transvestites this evening took out a 'pride march' in the national capital demanding repeal of a British Raj law prohibiting homosexuality.

Wearing colourful costumes and holding plycards demanding gay rights, people walked singing and dancing.

While cities like Mumbai and Kolkata have witnessed such marches in the past, this was the first time that members of these groups took out a march which culminated with a candle light vigil at Jantar Mantar here.

The activists, who started their 'walk' from Connaught Place, demanded repeal of section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which terms alternative sexuality a crime.

The June 29 march is an annual event across the globe to mark the 1969 riots in New York when police arrested hundreds of gays from a pub. The riots had continued for five days.

Activists supporting alternative sex observe the week leading to June 29 as Rainbow Pride Week. Rainbow flag is a symbol of alternative sexual groups the world over.

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