Watch: After the celebrations, the LGBTQ community starts on the journey of changing mindsets
The law has been written down. It’s time for society to change.
After winning the battle for legalising same-sex relationships, the LGBTQ community is back on the streets for the next fight. People, young and old, joined Nazariya LGBT, the LGBTQ-straight youth alliance in their Free Hugs for Humanity campaign across Delhi.
The objective now is to erase the social walls that have been in place for a long time. Nazariya co-founder Ruth Chawngthu told Scroll.in, “The only exposure to the queer community is based on stereotypical portrayals in Bollywood which is not only false but has lead to deep-seated stigmas. Creating visibility for our LGBT folks is the prime cause.”
The mini-parades were organised in various parts of Delhi, beginning at Hauz Khas Village, where a member of the LGBTQ was recently reported to have been harassed by police personnel, and at Hudson Lane, home to many students. Later, it continued at Connaught Place, where an alliance member was spotted dancing to a vagabond rendition of Kailash Kher’s Teri Deewani.
Rishi Raj Vyas, a 17-year-old student-activist, led the slogans (below). He said, “Love flows from heart to heart and hugs not only connect two bodies but also sync their souls together. Every hug represents that love wins, every time.”