Chintadripet in Chennai was coloured with rainbow flags and other festivities as hundreds of people belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, their allies, and others, participated in the Chennai Rainbow Pride and Self Respect Walk 2022, which was held at Langs Garden Road on Sunday, June 26. The event was organised by the Tamil Nadu Rainbow Coalition.
This year’s event was held after a long hiatus of two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants celebrated the event by dancing to the tune of the traditional parai instrument and adorning their pets with rainbow colored ornaments. They were seen holding up the iconic pride flag, placards, signs and banners demanding their rights and equality.
We have gathered! Chennai Pride starting in a while. Have a great time, Chennai! pic.twitter.com/gmVNyzmByY
— Deepan Qweeter Kannan (@kannandeepan) June 26, 2022
happy pride, chennai ✨ pic.twitter.com/5jAQUE7ooj
— m. (@liquorandhoney) June 26, 2022
Member of Parliament (MP) from Chennai South, Thamizhachi Thangapandian, also participated in the pride march this year, and later put out a tweet saying, “I am happy to extend my unconditional support and solidarity to people from the #LQBTQ community. Participated today in the pride parade in Chennai. This filled my heart with immense respect and love for the trans persons community. Let's strive for equality of our trans community members from the Parliament to our society. #prideparade #chennai #LGBTQCommunity #transpersons (sic)”.
I am happy to extend my unconditional support and solidarity to people from the #LQBTQ community. Participated today in the pride parade in Chennai. This filled my heart with immense respect and love for the trans persons community.
— தமிழச்சி (@ThamizhachiTh) June 26, 2022
1/2 pic.twitter.com/MBFkspvw8l
Co-founder of Queer Chennai Chronicles, an LGBTQIA+ indie publishing and literary forum, took to Twitter and said that this year’s pride witnessed a larger number of people, compared to previous years. “Of all the years, yesterday’s pride parade in Chennai had the most crowd. Lovely to see a sea of people after two years,” he tweeted.
Of all the years, yesterday’s pride parade in Chennai had the most crowd. Lovely to see a sea of people after two years.
— moulee (@BumpAhead) June 27, 2022
The Hindu reported that the Tamil Nadu Rainbow Coalition said that they appreciated several positive developments in the state over the past two years. Amongst the issues they highlighted, were the inclusion of transgender men as members of the Transgender Welfare Board for the first time in its 14-year history. They also pointed out that the state mental health policy included LGBTQIA+ affirming mental health services and clinics had been set up in Chennai and Madurai, besides free bus travel being offered by the state government for transgender persons.
Hey Chennai Twitter,
— Subash | Lax and Paambu stan account (@iamtheSubash) June 26, 2022
Here is a thread of few pictures from today's #ChennaiPride march.#PrideMonth #Pride2022
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