Hundreds partake in Delhi Queer Pride 2009

New Delhi, June 28 (ANI): Hundreds of queer people, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders along with their friends and family members on Sunday took out a march from Barakhamba road, to Jantar Mantar near Connaught Place as part of Delhi Queer Pride 09.

The procession reverberated the air with music and dance while the protestors were shouting slogans like "377 hi,hi", "377 Bharat Chodo" "Jeenedo Hame Jeene do"(please allow us to live).

The march was organised to express solidarity with all the marginalized groups, which are increasing in the present day Indian society.

Participants demanded that the discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender should end and repeal of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Speaking to ANI Jaya Tiwari co-ordinator of NAZ Foundation, which fighting for the rights of all these sections said the Indian society should accept the decision of its adult boys and girls, the adults can think and decide on their own.

"The Government should modify the Section 377. The gays or lesbians are not criminals, they also should get equal importance like any other in the society," Jaya said.

Members of NAZ Foundation, Human Right Activists and other support groups also participated in the event.

Demonstrators also lit candles as mark of solidarity towards their demands.

The queer was organised to raise the voice against violence and discrimination faced by transgender, lesbians, gays, forced marriages of lesbians, atrocities against gays and hijaras, and the law which prevents couple of the same gender from adopting a child and from owning properties. Protestors also demanded basic human rights and right to expression for LGBTs.

400 years ago the "queer" meant odd or unusual. 100 years ago the word was used as an insult for anyone who was different from society's norm and sexually "correct" behaviour. It was used to demean and marginalize people. Today, people across the world have reclaimed that word to empower, celebrate and unite people of diverse gender and sexuality. By Shreeraj Gudi (ANI)