Queer Azaadi Mumbai Pride March ("Azaadi" meaning "freedom" in Hindi and Urdu), also called Queer Azaadi March and Mumbai pride march, is an annual LGBTQIA pride parade that is held in the city of Mumbai, capital of Maharashtra, India. It usually begins from Gowalia Tank (popularly known as August Kranti Maidan) ending at Girgaum Chowpatty. It, along with the Pride Week, is organized by Queer Azaadi Mumbai (abbreviated as QAM), a collective of organizations and individuals working for the rights of LGBTQIA community. The participants of the march include people from the LGBTQIH community as well their "straight allies", from India and outside. In addition to being a celebration of queer pride, the pride march and related events are a platform to ask for equal rights.
Objectives
The following are the demands and objectives of the Queer Azadi March:
Equal rights for the LGBT community and an end to discrimination against members of the community. Constitutional protection against discrimination on the basis of gender and sexuality. Legal recognition for all members of the LGBTIQ community, and equal rights for those who do not fit the male-female classification. Sensitisation of society towards the rights and aspirations of the community, to put an end to practices like forced marriages. Specific sensitisation for the medical community regarding the treatment of community members. Elimination of violence, hate, homophobia and transphobia within families, educational institutions, workplaces and public places.
History
Pride marches have been held annually in Mumbai since 2005, however, it got its official name Queer Azaadi March in 2008.
2008
The first Queer Azaadi March was held on 16 August, a day after the Independence Day of India, with about 500 people participating in it. It was flagged off by Indian actress Celina Jaitly. The theme of this march was freedom from Section 377 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). During the march, Manvendra Singh Gohil, known as "India's first gay prince" gave a speech and demanded an apology from the British for including Section 377 in IPC.
2009
The Pride parade was held on 16 August, with Celina Jaitly flagging off the march for the second year in a row. With over 500 people turning up, gay activists claimed it to be one of the biggest pride marches in the country.
2011
The fourth Queer Azaadi March was held on 29 January with the Queer Azaadi Mumbai Pride Week (from 22–29 January) preceding it. It was inaugurated by Anand Grover, founder of Lawyers’ Collective, who has also represented Naz Foundation since 2001. Another person to inaugurate was Vivek Patil, chief-executive of Humsafar Trust, the oldest LGBTQ organization in India. The Pride Week, held for the first time in the Mumbai march, included festivities, like QAM Mela and drag shows, play readings, shopping, panel discussions and films. There were also live music and dance concerts at the Carter Road open auditorium and the SNDT University at Juhu. This pride became famous for it Pride Week and because people came in large numbers, with only a few wearing masks and being open about their identity.
2012
The fifth pride march was also held on 28 January. This year witnessed Asia’s first flash mob at the Pride Week celebrations. More than 2000 queer individuals took part in the event that was a display of gay pride. As a part of the march, Queer Azadi Mumbai also organised queer games which was held on 15 January 2012.
In the run up to the Mumbai Queer Azaadi March 2012 , the organizers held a live performance by the Hijra community and band "Agnee", at Carter Road Amphitheatre, on 5 Jan and a photo, Cartoon, Caricature Contest against prejudice. Pictures were displayed at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Chembur on 21 and 22 January.
2013
The pride march was held on 2 February. The events leading up to the pride march included a kite festival, Queer Games, literary events and concerts.
2014
This year the pride parade was held on 1 February and became the first parade to happen after the Supreme Court judgement of upholding Section 377 of IPC.