Guwahati's Pride

From a meagre footfall of 70 people in the first queer parade held in Guwahati in 2014 to almost 700 in the parade this year, LGBTQ activism in the city has come of age. But the apathy of general masses still rankles.

- Nabarun Guha

A motley group of people marched together hand in hand, dancing to the beats of the dhol, as the 6th Queer Parade in Guwahati passed through Pan Bazaar. Despite it being a Sunday afternoon, there were considerable number of people on the streets; some huddled in front of halfdrawn shop shutters, and others peeking from their balconies. Most onlookers were curious, and some were perpetually amused, because the jubilant individuals taking part in the parade made it impossible for onlookers to be indifferent. There was a moment when a young boy, clearly invigorated by the peppy beats, couldn’t stop himself from joining the parade. However, an elderly gentleman, presumably his father, clutched him by the neck and dragged him back. The muted conversation that took place between the lad and his father signified the outlook that still resides amongst most people in Assam towards the Queer Parade and the LGBTQ community in general.

The Journey of the Queer Pride in Guwahati

For the first time, the Queer Pride in Guwahati was held in 2013. It was also the first time that such an event was held in the entire Northeast. Interestingly enough, in December 2013, Supreme Court had reinstated Section 377, which criminalized homosexuality. This verdict triggered nationwide rage. Milin Dutta, one of the organizers of the first pride shares, ‘That was the first public gathering for the LGBTQ issue in the Northeast. We didn’t have a lot of participants that year, it was less than 100. However, since then, the Pride has grown from strength to strength and has become an annual event.’

In 2014, more people gathered for the Pride, but the participants had a little trouble with some right-wing conservatives who tried to disrupt the pride. However, they were arrested by the police.