Rainbow pride month is here

In the wake of assaults and marginalisation of several sections of the community including the LGBTIQA+, the umbrella collective — Tamil Nadu Rainbow Coalition (TNRC), is back with its ninth Chennai’
A rally organised last year
A rally organised last year

CHENNAI: In the wake of assaults and marginalisation of several sections of the community including the LGBTIQA+, the umbrella collective — Tamil Nadu Rainbow Coalition (TNRC), is back with its ninth Chennai’s Rainbow Pride Month 2017. Is it a celebration or a protest against all the struggle? Delfina, an activist with NGO Nirangal who identifies outside the binary of male and female, shared, “It’s a celebration and a means to reach out to the population about the struggle we go through. This is also a platform to sensitise college students about alternative sexualities to create a positive social change,” she said.

The events will be from June 10 and will have a mix of cultural performances, sensitisation programmes on sexuality, gender identity, health talks, films and poster making sessions. “The most awaited event is the Rainbow Pride march which will be held on June 25,” shared Jaya from Sahodaran, an NGO. Inviting people from the community and ‘straight allies’ to be part of the event, she said, “The first step to success is inclusion in society; both gender and sexual equality in the State.”

TNRC has put forth demands for this pride month including reversal of the Koushal judgment of December 11, 2013, amendment of Section 377 so it does not apply to ‘consenting adults’, reactivating the TN Aravani Welfare Board — restructuring it as TN Transgender Welfare Board, seeking access to stigma-free and quality healthcare for the LGBTIQA+ communities in Tamil Nadu, and so on. “We oppose attempts by healthcare professionals, quacks, religious groups and families, to forcefully change sexual orientation or gender identity through medication, shock therapy, corrective rape and other means,” stated Namithaa.

They wanted the government authorities to permit transgender individuals who identify within the gender binary get identity cards. “We ask that the Ministry of External Affairs immediately remove the requirement for surgery for transgender individuals who seek to change their gender on passports. Insistence on such procedures is both illegal and immoral, as per the NALSA ruling,” she added

For details, visit: https://www.facebook.com/chennaipride/

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