Ankur Rathore
Few people were visible when I reached the August Kranti maindan- mostly volunteers, activists and some media persons. I wondered if this was because of the Swine Flu scare. The media guys started interviewing the activists and clicking photos. Then the countdown began and the numbers started swelling. Light from the prism started scattering forming a colorful Rainbow. For me it was wholly a new experience. Initially I was wearing a mask but later on my friend made me take it off and I started feeling more confident of myself. I realized I was surrounded by people of my own community. I was no more a stranger and felt more gay!
Out of the Shadows
Then I met Vikram and Nitin- editors of ‘Bombay Dost’. We spotted Ashok Row Kavi, Prince Manvendra Singh, Vivek Anand and Kris Bass. More than twenty different NGOs like Humsafar Trust, Gay Bombay, LABIA etc. from all over India had come to participate. Lakshmi, the fabulous poster drag of the rally then came amidst much excitement. Soon, Celina Jaitely grabbed everyone’s attention by marching through the Pride rally.
Folks started collecting under different NGO banners and raised slogans while dancing madly on drum beats. It all seemed like a colorful fantasy world. I was clicking photos at each footstep. The paarde reached its destination and ended at the Chowpatty Beach. But the real destination still hasn’t yet arrived and we need to cross many hurdles to reach our goal of absolute equality in our own country.
