February 17th 2025.
Every February, the streets of Mumbai burst into life as the city celebrates Pride. It's a beautiful chaos, with the sounds of tuk tuks beeping, street vendors calling out to sell their delicious snacks, and street dogs playfully weaving through the crowds. Despite the usual noise of the city, there is one thing that stands out during the Pride march - the silence. As we walk alongside the vibrant queer community, there is a sense of quiet reflection and gratitude.
This year, I embarked on a journey to attend Pride events across the world. After skiing down the snowy slopes of Whistler with a rainbow flag in hand, I hopped on a flight to the bustling and hot "City of Dreams". Pride is usually a loud and boisterous celebration, filled with dancing, music, and chants of resistance. But as I walked in step with the Indian LGBTQ+ community, I was struck by the power of taking a moment to be still and reflect.
Saurabh Bondre, one of the organizers of Mumbai Queer Pride, explained the significance of the silence to Metro: "We observe this moment of silence to express our gratitude to all the people - all over the world - who have lost their lives while fighting for equal rights." It's a powerful statement, highlighting the hard-won fight for acceptance and equality that India's queer community has faced.
The road to freedom for the LGBTQ+ community in India has been long and difficult. After a long and arduous battle, homosexuality was first decriminalized in 2009, only to be overturned four years later. This false sense of acceptance was short-lived, and queer individuals were once again forced to hide their identities. It wasn't until 2018, after a painful five years, that homosexuality was decriminalized for a second time. But even then, there is a sense of caution and awareness of the fragility of their freedom.
As one of the only countries in the world to have reversed decriminalization, India serves as a warning that LGBTQ+ rights are never guaranteed. The queer community here is determined to push for global equality, especially at a time when minority rights are increasingly under threat. This year's official Mumbai Queer Pride slogan, "No Going Back", serves as a rallying cry for this cause.
Author of "Eat Gay Love", Calum McSwiggan, is on a mission to explore how the LGBTQ+ community is celebrated around the world. His journey will take him to all seven continents, attending 20 Pride events in 12 months. In an exclusive series with Metro, Calum will share the stories of Pride celebrations across the globe, from the freezing temperatures of Antarctica to the vibrant streets of Mumbai. Next up on his journey? Sydney, Australia.
Before the march begins, speakers take to the stage to address the crowd. They echo the sentiment of "No Going Back", calling out the 65 countries that still criminalize queer identities. Russia's "gay propaganda ban" is condemned, and the recent dismantling of trans rights in the US sparks fury. It's evident that the Indian queer community cares about the freedom of LGBTQ+ individuals everywhere.
Transgender filmmaker Rayyan Monkey explains how western cultural shifts can often influence Indian culture, for better or for worse. "While there has been progress in terms of inclusion, such as more positive and sensitive portrayals of transgender individuals in cinema, the American government's dismantling of LGBTQ+ rights has had a negative impact on us here. In the last six months, we've seen a significant decline in support." This is something I witness during my time in Mumbai, as it is clear that the LGBTQ+ community is still seen as taboo in many circles.
The night before the Pride march, I meet a local and his husband at the hotel bar. They were married in Germany and live an open life overseas, but when they return to India, they must keep their relationship private. "We can't go to the march," they tell me. "We can't be seen there. We have to be discreet." This is a reality for many LGBTQ+ individuals living in India, who feel the need to hide their identities to navigate different environments.
Despite this, it is heartwarming to see thousands of people showing up on the streets of Mumbai for Pride. They haven't come in plain clothes either, but have dressed up in traditional South Asian clothing with a touch of gender non-conformity. Some wear chandras, a crescent moon-shaped bindi symbolizing femininity, while others don saris, lehengas, and rainbow turbans. The message is clear - the queer community of Mumbai will not be silenced and will continue to fight for their rights, as well as the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals around the world.
The bustling streets of Mumbai are known for their vibrant energy and lively chaos, but during the month of February, they come alive in an even more colorful and spirited way - it's Pride month. As the city celebrates its annual Pride march, the usual clamor of honking tuk tuks and street vendors selling local delicacies is replaced by a sense of calm as the parade moves through the streets. It's a beautiful contrast to witness - the noise of the city fading away as the LGBTQ+ community walks together in silence.
This year, I embarked on a journey to attend Pride events around the world. From skiing down rainbow flags in the snowy slopes of Whistler, Canada to braving the scorching heat of Mumbai, India - I was determined to experience and celebrate Pride in all its forms. And as I walked alongside the vibrant queer community of India, I couldn't help but be struck by the power of this moment of quiet reflection.
Saurabh Bondre, one of the organizers of Mumbai Queer Pride, explained the significance of this silence to me. "We observe this moment of silence to honor and thank all those who have lost their lives while fighting for equal rights, not just in India, but all over the world," he said. It was a powerful statement that reminded me of the long and arduous journey that the LGBTQ+ community in India has had to endure in their fight for acceptance and equality.
It was in 2009 that India first decriminalized homosexuality, giving hope to the queer community. But just four years later, the ruling was overturned, shattering their world and forcing them back into the closet. It wasn't until 2018 that homosexuality was decriminalized for a second time, and the community hopes that this time it will be for good. But this journey has not been easy, and the queer communities of India are acutely aware of the fragility of their freedom. They continue to push for global equality, especially at a time when minority rights are under threat all over the world.
As we gathered before the march, speakers took to the stage to echo this sentiment and call out the 65 countries that still criminalize queer identities. Russia's "gay propaganda ban" and the recent dismantling of trans rights in the US were denounced, highlighting the community's concern for the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals everywhere.
Transgender filmmaker Rayyan Monkey shared his thoughts on the impact of western cultural shifts on Indian culture. "While there has been progress in terms of inclusion, such as more positive representations of transgender individuals in cinema, the American government's actions are affecting us here. In the last six months, we've seen a decline in support," he said.
This was something I witnessed during my time in Mumbai. Despite the progress made, the LGBTQ+ community is still viewed as taboo in many circles. I met a local couple who were married in Germany and live openly there, but when they return to India, they keep their relationship private. "We can't attend the march," they told me. "We have to be discreet." It was a reminder of the reality faced by many queer individuals living in India.
But despite these challenges, it was incredibly heartwarming to see thousands of people come out in full force for Mumbai Queer Pride. They didn't just show up in plain clothes either, they were dressed to make a statement. Traditional South Asian clothing was worn with gender non-conformity, with some adorning chandras - a crescent moon-shaped bindi that represents femininity - and others donning saris, lehengas, and rainbow turbans.
It was a powerful and moving sight, as the queer community of Mumbai sent a clear message to governments that are dismantling minority rights - there is no going back. This sentiment was echoed by the official Pride slogan, "No Going Back," serving as a rallying cry for the community to continue fighting for their rights.
As I continue my journey to attend Pride events on all seven continents, I am reminded of the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community in the face of adversity. From Antarctica to Mumbai, each Pride celebration is a testament to the courage and determination of individuals who refuse to be silenced or erased. And as we celebrate Pride, let us also remember those who have fought and continue to fight for our rights, and honor their sacrifices with pride and gratitude.
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