Rainbow of colours as LGBTQI community members join Pride Walk in numbers
Australian consul-general, Park Street restaurants and others extend support
By
Bishwabijoy Mitra |
Published 18.12.22, 08:28 PM
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Sunday afternoon was all about the seven colours of the rainbow. As the Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk started off from Park Circus Maidan to reach Mayo Road via Park Street, the traffic halted and passersby stopped to click photographs. Thousands of LGBTQIA community members clad in colourful attire joined the march, waving the pride flag. “This is the 17th edition of the walk and historically one of the oldest Pride Walks in South East Asia. This year, it is even more special because we have been able to organise it after a three- year pandemic break,” said Nil, a celebrity fashion designer and one of the main organisers
All images by Soumyajit Dey
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Several participants came all dressed up for the event. Just before the walk, they were seen putting the finishing touches. Howrah-based actor Subhoshree Dutta (left) said: “We wait for such events. People from our community are all here and we feel the safest around them. Finally, after three years, here we come again.”
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We spotted Australian consul-general Rowan Ainsworth at the walk. She was there to extend her support to the LGBTIA community members and attempt to include other consulates in such initiatives. “This is absolutely beautiful. So many people walking for the same reason and I think there is nothing more fascinating than this,” she said
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Deb Barua from Dum Dum, Rooqma Bannerjee from Belghoria and Shree Roy from Howrah came in rainbow saris. “What a day it is! Colourful and bright; just perfect for a pride walk,” said Barua
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Actress Ushasie Chakraborty was there to show her support for the community. Last year, her novel on a lesbian couple was published and during that time she came in contact with several LGBTQI community members. “I just hope that our beloved city becomes safe for everyone. That we accept and love everybody, whatever their gender and sexual identity,” she said
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Several diehard Argentina supporters were seen gearing up for the World Cup final. “Right after the walk, we will get glued to the television screens, shouting at the top of our voices for Messi,” one of them said
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YouTube star Sandy Saha (L) was seen chatting with Komaljit Das (R). They walked in front of the rally, showing off their beautiful dresses
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More than 12,000 participants joined the last Pride Walk and this year the number is likely to be more as several people not just from across the country, but from Bangladesh too were there, organisers said
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The walk was all about love and freedom to love, going beyond one's gender and sexual identity. The participants made sure that the message reached everyone
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The rally reached Park Street, where the restaurants and bars extended their support to the walk. The entire street was decorated with flags and posters since Saturday
