Pride parade are seen as the cynosure of queer resistance. While India’s first pride parade was held in Kolkata more that 20 years ago, now they are omnipresent in the country, happening annually in several cities. Pride is redefined every year, even though its roots lie in queer resistance and aim for liberation. Although, the glossy newspaper coverage, witty posters and captivating Instagram feeds might tell you otherwise, it is imperative to realize the roots of this gathering do not lie in a need to celebrate queerness but in the need for human beings to exist without criminalization and persecution. If you are going to debut at a pride parade soon, it is suggested you educate yourself beyond the glamour and the glitter that often it is seen as limited to. Here are a few things to be mindful of as you gear up for your first pride parade.
Thus, attending a parade is exciting, but it also a step forward in the revolution and it is necessary we prepare for it. As you step into pride this year, do so to feel liberated with queer peers but also make a conscious attempt to extend this liberation to everyone.
