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Take a walk down memory lane with this snippet from Calcutta Pride 2004

The clip shows how, two decades ago, Kolkata was one of the frontrunners for inclusivity in India

In 1999, Kolkata organised the first Pride Walk in the country, then titled, ‘The Friendship Walk’. While there is very little footage available from that event, Instagram archival account LGBTQIAP Plus History of India recently dug up a footage from an equally significant event from 2004. Two decades ago, Calcutta Pride became a milestone in India’s queer rights movement, as Park Circus Maidan staged a brilliant display for sexual liberation and gender identity on June 27. The clip shared on the account shows members of the community proudly dressing up, as bystanders watch with curiosity. It also captures one bystander reinforcing that queer rights weren’t just an Indian issue, but a global one, and someone’s right to love and sex isn’t anyone else’s concern. As the world celebrates Pride Month, this clip seems like a lovely reminder of the importance of inclusivity. 

— Vedant Karia

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