Bringing in an Inclusive New Year, From “Under the Rainbow”

What better way to bring in the new year with a kickass party, and that too for a good cause?

Kitty Su put together a fashion show for trans models, models with disability and drag queens.

(Photo: Mekhala Saran/The Quint)

What better way to bring in the new year than a kickass party, and that too for a good cause? This is exactly what happened in New Delhi on 28 December, when a club in the city, Kitty Su, put together a fashion show for trans models, models with disability and drag queens.

These models were dressed by some of the best names in the fashion industry, such as Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahliani, and Pallavi Mohan.

“The shooting at a gay pub in Orlando made us realise we need to open more inclusive spaces allover the world, and especially in India,” said Monish, who choreographed the Under the Rainbow event.

The most inclusive party of the year.(Photo Courtesy: Kshitij Kumar/The Quint)

“That is how we started organising parties that were safe spaces for people of all genders and orientations. This event is one such space where people can be themselves and express themselves openly,” he said. 

Slaying it.(Photo Courtesy: Mekhala Saran/The Quint)

The trans models were trained by Reena Rai, a heterosexual woman who started the Trans Queen India pageant in 2016. She says platforms like these are important to give visibility to the community. This is why she is taking her next show to an altogether different level. It will be presented in front of PM Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind on 30 December, she adds.

It is a great honour to get this kind of exposure, with the Trans rights bill being debated, this is an important time for the community. I hope our girls get to talk to PM Modi and tell him their problems.

Reena Rai, founder, Trans Queen India

For 22-year-old Taksh Sharma, it felt inspirational to see trans women like her walk on a ramp with confidence and applause.

“The show was so good, all the girls looked so pretty, and it felt fantastic to see them feel so liberated and accepted,” she said.

The fashion show was followed by the Delhi leg of India’s first-ever native drag tour, which has already travelled to three cities.