Kolkata Is Back With Its 16th Rainbow Pride Walk And Here’s Why You Should Not Miss It

Did you know Kolkata was one of the first cities in South East Asia to organise its own pride march? The Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk is back this winter with its 16th edition on December 10.

The Walk was first organised on July 2, 1999. It was called the ‘Friendship Walk’ and drew people from all over the country. Through sixteen years, Kolkata has been home to this annual festival showing consistent solidarity to the LGBTQ community.

This year, the walk will start from 1pm with a protest meet at Deshapriya Park and will take the streets from there, proceeding towards Park Circus Maidan.

Queer or not, the pride walk is for everyone. What most people are unaware of is the fact that Section 377 of the IPC bans any kind of sexual activity that is not procreatory and peno-vaginal in nature, and thus affects not just homosexual, but heterosexual relationships equally.

Sunday’s walk is also disability-friendly, so if you have you have the rainbow spirit, there’s nothing that can stop you from being a part of this.

Because you care for equal rights. This year the Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk will also include a protest meet at Deshapriya Park from 1pm to 2pm against the Transgender Persons {Protection of Rights} Bill — there will be postcards where you can sign and show support. The postcards will be sent to the PMO afterwards to show mass solidarity against the bill.

So if you believe in spending your Sunday afternoon letting your hair down and walking for a cause that affects all of us, the Pride should not be missed.

There’ll be a huge 42-metre long rainbow flag, a car for medical emergencies and for old or disabled participants, a rainbow decorated float, music and lights, and a five minute, power-packed dance performance by Sandeepta and her team. And if you’re wondering if there’s a dress code — there’s none, just be imaginative and dress up in your colourful best!

Check out their Facebook page for more info.