Gurgaon’s LGBT community holds candle vigil for Orlando

Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community on Saturday took out a candlelight march in protest against the mass shooting in Orlando. Omar Mateen, an Afghan-born gunman, killed at least 49 people at a gay nightclub in the American city on June 12.

Expressing their disapproval about the oppression that LGBT people face everywhere in the world, as many as 200 supporters gathered at the first-ever Gurgaon pride parade’. They sought freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation to ensure social justice and an inclusive environment and demanded the repeal of Section 377 of the IPC.

The event was backed by organisers of the Delhi Queer Pride. People gathered around 6 pm at the Leisure Valley ground in Sector 29 carrying rainbow flags and candles.

After the music and open session, a candlelight vigil started to show solidarity with Orlando and Mexico massacre victims and the murdered Bangladeshi queer activists.

“This is the first time that a pride parade was organised in Gurgaon, there will be a sense of belonging among the city’s LBGT community,” said Rahul Kumar Thapa, a resident of the city.

Another participant, Sai Tejo, said, “This kind of protest provides visibility to people who are of a different orientation. This is a struggle -- we are fighting for our identity.”

Demanding protection and affirmative action for vulnerable queer groups, the supporters said the government should enforce anti-discrimination laws and implement provision of the Supreme Court judgement in NALSA vs Union of India on the rights of trans people.

Also they urged the government to take action against violence and to repeal Section 377.