Third edition of rainbow pride parade on June 18 to celebrate inclusion and diversity

Coimbatore: The Coimbatore Queer Collective (Kovai Vanavil Kootamaipu) will organise the third edition of the rainbow pride parade to create awareness about the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer-questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA) community here, on June 18.
The parade could not be conducted after 2019 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, founder of Sahodari Foundation Kalki Subramaniam said on Saturday. “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, aro-ace individuals still face discrimination. We intend to create inclusive dialogues around gender and sexuality, thereby creating an inclusive society and better living conditions for the community,” she told reporters.
The first rainbow pride parade in Coimbatore was held in 2009 and the second one in 2019. The organisers plan a series of events starting from June 5, with a two-wheeler rally at Race Course. They also plan to host a theatre workshop, film screening, panel discussion and flash mob.
The collective urged the state government to establish shelter homes in all districts to protect LGBTQIA individuals during a crisis. It also requested the government to build gender-neutral toilets in all public places and government-owned institutions.