“Aamchi laingikta aamchya hakkachi , nahi kuynachya baapaachi !!!”

This a Marathi slogan saying 'Our sexuality is our right, no one can deny it' ...along with many other slogan roared on thestreets of Mumbai yesterday on August 16, 2009, on the occasion ofQueer Azadi March. Organized by 30 NGOs, around 1200-1500 homosexuals& supporters even proud parents & colleagues encroached on roads towards Girgoan chowpatti. Actor Celina jateley flagged off this rally for the second time along with other celebrities.

As Delhi High court gave poll on the side of homosexualsby removing law section of 377, our victory is being appreciated. Sonow the war is against the thinking of people. While the saying slogan‘hum sab gay hai phir bhi hum ek hai” gays were leaving message forother people a message of socialism & humanity. Until we don’t get decriminalized in common man’s heart & get accepted we cannot consider our hard earned victory. Therewas lot of gathering of spectators along the streets & many peoplepeeking out from their windows & galleries. While dancing on thetune of Nasik baja &Punjabi dhol, performing ‘fugadis’ &wearing colourful gays gave the signal of their existence to thesociety. I felt proud & great when I sawtwo grannies holding the banner of ‘Prayas -ek koshish’ joined us inthe parade in our support while many of us (gays) were in closet &sitting at home, still worrying about their future! There were mothersof gay son, colleagues of gay professionals walking on the streets for their belief!!

Many people still don’t know what is Gay or homosexuality…While some people like Baba Ramdeo misleading them wehave to stand out n say what we really are. We are successfulprofessionals, we are caring people… we are also a common man of India& this world who wants to leave like a human & be treated likea human being.

Everyone of us wants a place in heart of people of India. We need to beaccepted & treated as with respect for who we are. We need to comeout without any hesitance.

We need Azaadi not only on paper but , ‘Dil Se’…