Jamshedpur’s Streets Go ‘Gay’ as the City Holds 1st Pride March

A participant of Jharkhand’s first LGBTQ Pride Parade

(Photo Courtesy: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

Jharkhand witnessed its first Pride march on Saturday, 7 April. Members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) community organised the state's first Queer Pride parade in Jamshedpur.

The members left no stone unturned to make the event a memorable one – with rainbow flags, balloons and celebratory music, the streets of Jamshedpur wore a happy look. Slogans like “my body, my rights”, “humari azadi hum chheen ke lengey (we will snatch our freedom)”, and “I am gay and it's okay!” made several passersby stop their vehicles.

Starting from Basant Talkies in Sakchi, the 1.5-km parade, which culminated at the Jubilee Park in Jamshedpur, saw participation of members from not only Tatanagar, but from all over the country.

A participant with the LGBTQ flag.

A happy and surprised Venkatesh, who came all the way from Kolkata to be a part of the parade, said, "I am amazed to see so many people from our community turning up for this parade. When I was coming here, I'd thought 50 people, at most, would attend. But the turnout is phenomenal. I mean, the number must be around 200. This really is a proud moment for all of us".

A participant holds a placard in the LGBTQ Pride march in Jamshedpur.

LGBTQ Pride march, Jamshedpur.

The key organiser from Humsafar Trust, Sandeep looked ecstatic when the parade concluded. "Like many others, I am surprised too, to see so many people coming out and supporting us. It is very moving for me and for everyone participating. This is just the beginning, we have a long way to go."

Hey ho! Hey ho! Homophobia’s got to go.

The march was marked by slogans like “my body, my rights” and “humari azadi hum chheen ke lengey”.

“Love has no gender”

And it wasn't just the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and asexual (LGBTIA) who made it to the parade – many hetrosexual people also came to support the cause. "I am here for my friend, who is gay. We study in the same college and are really good friends", said Sourav, a student who came from Kolkata.

Participants of Jharkhand’s first LGBTQ Pride march.

Participants shout slogans during Jamshedpur’s Pride march.

The march concluded at the Jubilee Park with a promise to meet again in Jamshedpur next year.

Participants at Jamshedpur’s first Pride march.