Scores of people, including those from other States and abroad, took part in the second Queerythm Pride Walk and Queer Cultural Festival in the city on Sunday.
Organised by Queerythm, an organisation that works for the rights of sexual minorities, it was the probably the biggest gathering of LGBTIQ community members and the public in the city after the Supreme Court’s historic verdict decriminalising homosexuality. It was also the first pride event to completely observe the green protocol. Plastic and other non-biodegradable material were avoided during the celebrations.
Binu I.P., Kunnukuzhy ward councillor, inaugurated the pride walk. Archana Padmini, cinema and theatre actor and member of the Women in Cinema collective, inaugurated the cultural festival at Manaveeyam Veedhi. A number of LGBTIQ couples took part in the pride and festival along with their parents and other kin, hinting at increased visibility and acceptance for the community.
Q-Rang, the first completely LGBTIQ theatre group launched by Queerythm, was inaugurated on the occasion.
The performance of its first play ‘We are victims,’ directed by Chennai-based theatreperson and queer activist Sreejith Sundaram, was staged.
Jwala, a self-help group of transgenders for furthering their entrepreneurship and skill development, was launched in association with Kudumbashree. Other programmes were also held.
Queerythm plans to launch a family support group for the community members soon.