NORTH EAST LGBT PRIDE WALK, 2015

Editor

A day of celebration, of expression, of Pride, of what they ridicule, of who they mock and those that are rebuked, of all those suppressed and silenced voices came together to set up yet another milestone in the history of LGBTQ rights and queer movement in the northeast. The Eight states of north east came together for the first time to organize the second LGBTQI pride parade which is also the very first collective North East Pride, after last year’s Guwahati Pride followed by Manipur Pride. In a span of about one year since the region saw its first Pride walk, the movement has expanded in solidarity with other movements for peace and justice.

This year the Pride stands out for its inclusiveness and a collective effort in representation of states from across the northeast, its leadership by the youth and women and people from the community and allies. An opportunity to celebrate who we are, to embrace people with alternate sexualities and to create a space for marginalised genders and sexualities, the Northeast Pride stood out in its own unique way. This time the Pride is even more unique as it tried to raise its voice against normative structures and create an alternate paradigm and space for communities and groups that have historically been deprived and looked down upon. We strongly feel the
Pride is more essential at this period when conflict and tension is leaving no scope to break people’s strength and solidarity, in order to re-establish a language of hope, love and commitment to fight back.

This year we see the meaning of the Pride extending itself beyond a Queer vibrance to
mobilising a space for all minorities who been historically marginalised for their identity, for who they are, to come together and join in solidarity. We see this attempt as an effort towards
solidarity of the LGBT movement with the other movements of the regions denouncing this hate and unending circle of violence in the northeast. At this hour when the state is trying to limit us to a language of control, together we can establish a Queer paradigm which they call a ‘negligibile minority’ and that which is capable of transforming a violent space that they call the ‘mainstream’ and ‘normal’.
The Pride started with an introduction of representatives from all the northeastern states, followed by poetry recitation, dance by queer groups, musical performances by a lesbian band-Sryngiew, from Meghalaya, dance by hijra community. The walk proceeded through the route from Dighalipukhuri-RBI Point- Food Villa Point- High Court- Latasil Point- Ambari- Guwahati Club Rotary. People carried slogans in regional languages of the northeast from Kokborok, Meitei, Khasi, Bodo, Mizo, Nepali, Nagamese to English and Hindi. Even the playlist to which people walked in pride, represented the blend of radical and powerful melodies from all across the region.

The Pride had participation and substantial support in comparison to last year. National queer rights activists from Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai were also part of this year’s Pride Walk. The large numbers of people’s participation in the Walk also indicates a positive and remarkable shift of acceptance of the movement in the region.

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