Tag Archives: LGBTQ children

5,000 People March In Mumbai’s Pride Parade

Mumbai Pride Parade is now in its 8th year, but this year saw an exceptional turnout, with a 5000-strong march on Saturday. However what made it an even more special occasion was the hundreds of parents of LGBTQ children, making up a substantial chunk of the marchers.

Vikram Doctor, co-organizer of the first pride parade in the city, was quoted as saying that in earlier years, it would be…

“… only the occasional mother or sister or aunt who’d come join the gay person in the march. It’s great to see fathers and brothers step forward too.” Vikram Doctor

The parade, which started from August Kranti Maidan covering Grant Road and Nana Chowk, was one of the biggest Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender pride parades the city has seen.

Parents of LGBTI children have continuously voiced their support and lobbied for the decriminalization of gay sex under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

India’s Mid-Day news quoted a mother who says she wants a traditional wedding for her gay son.

“It took me a few years to accept the reality that my son is gay. Initially, I used to curse him, but gradually learnt to accept him. It’s every parents’ dream to have a grand wedding for their child and I want the same. I have been to Europe and seen a gay marriage and that’s how I came to know that in some countries, gay marriages are allowed.”

Following an 8-year legal battle, the Delhi Hight Court decriminalized gay sex in 2009. But on 11 December 2013, the Supreme Court of India overturned the decision of the lower court and recriminalized gay sex.