Queerythm announces LGBTIQ theater, self-help group on Pride Day
The roads of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, were painted 'rainbow' on Sunday as the first pride parade after reading down of Section 377 was organized in the state. The Pride Walk was organized by Queerythm, an organization working for the rights of sexual minorities. The launch of Q-Rang, an LGBTIQ theater group, and Jwala, a self-help group for the transgender community, were the highlights of the event.
Around 500 people joined the walk, shouted 'Pride for all'
Queerythm, founded by Prijith, organized the walk and the Queer Cultural Festival. Around 500 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people joined the walk along with their families and started-off by shouting 'Pride for all'. The walk which, started from the University College Junction to Manaveeyam Veedhi, saw people freely kissing for the camera and dancing on the rhythm of the percussion.
Q-Rang performs first play titled 'We are victims'
Meanwhile, with all the 'pride' in the air, Queerythm launched Q-Rang and Jwala. Q-Rang, the first completely LGBTIQ theater group, later performed its first play 'We are victims'. The play was directed by Sreejith Sundaram, a queer activist and a theater person, based in Chennai. A self-help group of transgenders, Jwala, was inaugurated to enhance their entrepreneurship and skill development.
Pride walk followed all green protocol, says Prijith
Apart from the announcements, what made the march unique was 'the green protocol'. Prijith, who was happy with the large turnout even from neighbouring states, said, "None of the materials we used is non-biodegradable. The rainbow flags are all made of cotton or cotton-mixed material."
SC's verdict on Section 377 decriminalized homosexuality in 2018
The LGBTIQ community saw some light through the tunnel of struggle on September 6, 2018. The Supreme Court of India decriminalized consensual intercourse between two adults by stating, "Criminalizing consensual homosexual sex runs contradictory to the Constitution." Any form of intercourse against the law of nature was criminalized under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code during the British Rule in 1861.
