Darjeeling Braves The Cold and Comes Out For its First Pride March

Darjeeling observed its first Pride Walk on 10 Dec. Here are photos that capture the essence of the celebrations.

People unfurl the rainbow flag to celebrate LGBTQI+ communities.

Photo: Tanmay Bhaduri

Darjeeling observed its first Pride march on 10 December.

People gather to make Darjeeling’s first Pride march a success.Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduria

As the temperature dipped to 3 degree Celcius, members of the LGBTQIA community organised the hill's first Pride Walk in Darjeeling, three months after Supreme Court's verdict on Section 377.

Members of Darjeeling’s LGBTQI+ unfurl the rainbow flag at the hills first ever Pride.Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduri

The members left no stone unturned to make the event a memorable one – with rainbow flags, balloons and celebratory music, the streets of Darjeeling wore a happy and gay look.

LGBTQI+ members pose for the shutter bugs with a slogan in their hands.(Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

Slogans like 'My Body My Rights', 'I am Gay and It's Okay', 'We are human, we have rights too' made several passersby and tourist stop their vehicles and capture the moment on their mobile cameras.

Man takes a selfie with the Pride celebrations as his background.Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduri

Starting from Chowk Bazar the march culminated at the Chowrasta Mall in Darjeeling, saw the participation of members of the LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual) community from even the Dooars, Terai and Sikkim.

Darjeeling celebrated its first Pride march with dance and music.Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduri

A happy and surprised Teshring Wangchuk, who came all the way from North Sikkim to be a part of the march, said, "I am amazed to see so many people from our community turning up for this parade. When I was coming here, I'd thought 20 people – at most – would attend. But the turnout is phenomenal. I mean, the number must be more than hundred! This really is a proud moment for all of us."

Teshring Wangchuk was happy and surprised at the turnout.Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduri

Key organiser Rudra Rai of Miitjyu, an organisation working on gender issues and Queer rights said, "Like many others, I'm also surprised to see so many people coming out and supporting us. It is very moving for me and for everyone participating. This is just the beginning and we have a long way to go. It is true that people in the hill [...] are far behind our neighbouring state, Nepal."

Man at Darjeeling Pride dons a tiara and a butterfly mask to express himself.(Photo: Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduri)

And it wasn't just the LGBTQIA people who made it to the march – many straight people also came to support the cause. "I am here for my friend, who is gay. We study in the same college and are really good friends," said Jay, a student from Alipurduar district of West Bengal.

‘Love has no gender’Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduri

Another organiser Lakpa Tamang said, "We are thankful to Supreme Court of India. After a long fight the Supreme Court quashed the colonial-era law that criminalised homosexuality. Now we have to convince people in the hill to accept that we can choose our life partner according to our desire."

Participants of Darjeeling’s first LGBTQ Pride march.Photo: Tanmoy Bhaduri

And finally, after everyone gathered at Chowrasta, they promised to meet again in Darjeeling and other Northeastern towns next year for the next parade.