This is film editor and screenwriter Apurva Asrani’s appeal to his fellow citizens, on a day when Mumbai will see its biggest gay pride event. Apurva who began his career as the editor of Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya and has written and edited Hansal Mehta’s Aligarh, says he’s tired of being a 2nd class citizen and wants the equality that the constitution guarantees him.
Ironically, this could be the most significant pride event in recent history. Because today we will come out and show the highest court of our country, that we are not a ‘minuscule minority’. Our friends & families will join us at August Kranti Maidan this afternoon to tell the world that if there was ever a time to show ourselves in solidarity, it is today.
‘What is the need to come out publicly?’ A concerned family member asked after I spoke openly about my sexuality on national news. He added ‘So many ‘celebrities’ manage to say what they want without coming out.’ This is my answer, and I hope it will compel some of you, gay or straight to support us this afternoon and in times to come.
Firstly, I didn’t speak as a ‘celebrity’ on Barkha’s show. I spoke as a gay man. Celebrities support causes. This is my own personal cause. It is part of my identity.
This constitution is meant to award equal rights to all of us and yet I, a law abiding, tax paying citizen, must operate in the shadows of hypocrisy?
Come out and support us because this inequality concerns you as much as it concerns me. This inhumanity on the guise of Section 377 is a cancer in society, that will soon reach you, if you don’t act now. This is why my friends are joining me today as I attend my first gay pride event.
The gay pride march in Mumbai will begin at the August Kranti Maidan at 3pm on Saturday
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