Pride Month, celebrated globally in June, is a momentous occasion dedicated to honoring the LGBTQIA+ community, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for equal rights. As the rainbow flag flutters high during Pride Month at DU, it embraces its diverse community, paving the way for conversations, activism, and joyous expressions of queer pride.
Pride events, including parades and festivals, are usually organized by the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and advocate for equal rights.
The LGBTQIA+ community – Pride Celebrations in DU
LGBTQIA+ rights and the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community and individuals in India have evolved, influenced by a complex intersection of social, cultural, and legal factors.
Attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community in India vary widely. While many people are supportive and accepting, others hold conservative views influenced by cultural, religious, and traditional beliefs. The LGBTQIA+ community often faces social stigma, discrimination, and exclusion, leading to challenges in areas such as family acceptance, employment, healthcare, and education.
Nonetheless, India has witnessed a growing movement that advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility. LGBTQIA+ community organizations and support groups have emerged across the country, providing spaces for networking, support, and advocacy.
These organizations play a crucial role in raising awareness, promoting inclusivity, and fighting against discrimination. Cultural events, film festivals, and Pride parades have become significant platforms for expressing LGBTQIA+ pride, increasing visibility, and fostering dialogue.
The Delhi Queer Pride Parade, which began in 2008, is one of the country’s most prominent LGBTQIA+ events, with participants from diverse backgrounds coming together to advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation at DU.
Pride Celebrations 2023 in DU – DU Pride Parade
Delhi University has historically been a hub for activism, including LGBTQIA+ rights. The University is known for its vibrant student culture and has seen various initiatives and events organized by student groups and LGBTQIA+ organizations.
Pride Month at DU exemplifies the spirit of inclusivity, acceptance, and empowerment within the LGBTQIA+ community. As one of India’s premier educational institutions, DU serves as a platform for nurturing understanding, fostering dialogue, and promoting equality for all students.
In the past, organizations like the Queer Collective, LGBTQ Support Group, or similar student bodies may have played a role in organizing events for pride month at DU. These events could include panel discussions, film screenings, workshops, art exhibitions, and cultural performances centered around LGBTQIA+ issues.
Pride celebrations at Delhi University 2023
On Thursday, 1st June 2023, the Students Organisation of India (SFI) organized a Pride March at the Art Faculty, Delhi University for the celebrations of Pride Month at DU. Students gathered included the members of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as those who support them.
Rainbow hues and joyous cheers coloured the streets throughout the parade which was titled “We will love who we want”. The students marched from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College (SCBC) to the College of Vocational Studies (CVS) in Sheikh Sarai. The parade included students not just from Delhi University, but also Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, IIT Delhi, etc.
Various symbols and forms of expression were displayed by the students at the celebrations of Pride month at DU such as colourful banners, posters, costumes, badges, tattoos, flags, etc. expressing acceptance, inclusivity, raising awareness, and promoting understanding towards the LGBTQIA+ community.
Slogans such as “Love is Love”, “Love has no gender”, “Don’t be afraid to show your colours”, and “We march for Love, Inclusivity & Social justice. Queer liberation and not Rainbow capitalism” among others were heard throughout the parade alongside joyous cheers and songs.
Heed to the Stories of the LGBTQIA+ community
The students expressed their views regarding feeling liberated at events like these and the importance of raising awareness for love, inclusivity, and social justice. Some of the statements recorded were as follows.
Rusham (Secretary, SFI Hindu College) expressed that DU has been “stifling diverse and resistant voices”. So they aim to show that their voices will only get louder and bolder. She stated “SFI Delhi, along with hundreds of queer-trans students, is showing the university and the government that we should stand in solidarity with queer and trans struggles going on in the country.”
Nihul Tiwari, a second-year English Major from Hansraj College said in an interview with Hindustan Times “My outfit is not a statement. It is me. I don’t need just one month to express myself. But, dressing in a flamboyant style during Pride Month is important for me… It’s ironic how I had to face some students who behaved like bullies when I turned up on campus on day one of Pride month! But, this can’t deter my conviction and belief in being authentic to my identity.”
Venkatesh Kodukula, an LGBTQIA+ rights activist from Visakhapatnam who currently works as an HR professional in Delhi was also present at the parade for the pride month at Delhi University. Talking to NewsLaundry, they explained that they identified as gay 8 years ago and later as a non-binary trans person.
They said that they now feel more comfortable identifying as someone outside of the traditional gender binaries. But achieving acceptance and recognition in society is posing to be a strenuous task.
Students also raised concerns regarding the commoditization of queer communities. “Many companies organize pride month sales and discounts to show support. Airlines put Pride flags but start their commentaries with “Ladies and gentlemen”. I wanna ask the airlines, how many transgendered air hostesses do you employ?” said one of the students at the pride parade at DU.
The LGBTQIA+ community often comes face to face with obstacles with the utilization of the so-called inclusive spaces. Many valid questions were raised in the Pride month at DU such as if the Delhi University had gender-neutral washrooms.
The DU pride parade ended with various colourful cultural performances by a students’ forum – Dastak. After the performances, the police who were supervising the peaceful DU pride parade dismissed the students.
DU Squad is the only one-stop platform on the internet providing updates about anything and everything related to the University of Delhi.
