Pune’s first Pride March: Sunday Dec 11, 2011

 Pune is all set to have its Q Fest on 10-11 December. Now comes the exciting news that they have received police permission for the city’s first ever Pride March. This makes Pune the ninth city in India to have a Pride march, the others being Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Thrissur.

Here is the announcement from Bindumadhav Khire of Samapathik Trust:

Announcement of HIV Awareness and LGBTH (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Hijra) Pride March

Samapathik Trust is a men’s sexual health organization located in Budhwar Peth. We have been working with sexual minorities/Tritiyapanthi community (which mainly comprise of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgenders and Hijara community) on issues of STI/HIV, mental health and various rights issues. We work with the LGBT community with the aim of assisting them in accepting their sexuality, seeking their rights and creating a society where all members of alternate sexualities can lead a proud, dignified life free from prejudices.

For the first time in Pune, Samapathik Trust has planned to hold a small HIV awareness and LGBTH pride march with focus on Health, Acceptance and Rights: Health for all, Acceptance in mainstream society and Rights for all.We invite liberal minded people of all walks of life and sexual lifestyles to participate in this march, with the objective of spreading awareness and sensitization on various health-related, legal and social issues of the LGBTH communities.

The details of the march are as follows:
* 11th Dec 2011 (Sunday).
* Time will be 10.00 am to 11.00 am.

* The schedule and route are as follows-
Start of march from: Samapathik Trust,
Office No. 9, 1004 Budhwar Peth, Building Name: “Rameshwar Market”
(Near Vijay Maruti Chowk, which is near City Post Office, Laxmi Road), Pune 411 002

The march will proceed to Vijay Maruti Chowk, take a left on Laxmi road, pass City Post office, take a right on Bajirao Road and pass Appabalwant chowk, Prabhat Theater, go past Shaniwar Wada, take a U turn in front of Shaniwar wada, walk past Vasant Theatre, Dagdusheth Mandir, cross Laxmi Road, walk up to Shrinaath Theatre and take a left at Shrinaath Theatre, walk up to Shukruwar Peth Police Chowkey, take a left at the Chowkey and end up at Samapathik Trust office at 11.00 am. We will then have a thanksgiving ceremony and serve snacks at our Samapathik Trust office.

Note on Parking:
2 Wheelers:  Please park on Laxmi Road near Dagdushet Ganpati Temple.
4 Wheelers: Please park at Mandai Parking.

Notes
In our letter to the police we had asked for LGBT March permission but the police permission letter has the words HIV Awareness March. We don’t expect that to be an issue. We have given the following undertaking to the police-
1.     We will not be using band or loud-speakers or any other sound equipment.
2.     We will not burst crackers.
3.     We will not carry any weapons
4.     We will not use derogatory words about any religion, caste, gender, institutions.
5.     We will follow discipline and walk in a 2-4 persons in a row so that the traffic is not blocked.
6.     Participants can shout slogans, carry placards / banners and distribute pamphlets etc.
7.      And most importantly-Participants will be well dressed and well behaved.

Please note that Pune’s culture is traditional and conservative hence this march will be low key with focus on reaching out to the masses. The objective is not to shock and awe. Participants are kindly requested to be well dressed and on best behavior. Those who have a different philosophy are welcome to seek other venues for expressing your pride.

For more details please contact:
Bindumadhav Khire
President, Samapathik Trust, Pune
Email: samapathik@hotmail.com
Landline: (020) 6417 9112and Mo: 9763640480

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Best wishes to Pune from the Chennai rainbow community!