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The [[Chandigarh]] LGBTQ Pride Walk is an annual march held as part of the "Garvotsava" pride week celebrations in Chandigarh, the capital city of the northern Indian states of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Haryana]]. The event aims to celebrate and bring together the [[LGBT|LGBTQ]] community and its supporters.

Chandigarh was the first city in North India after Delhi to have a pride march in 2013. The parades in Chandigarh are spearheaded by Saksham Trust.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gaylaxymag.com/latest-news/chandigarhs-first-lgbt-pride-walk-on-march-15/#gs.VJkOb24|title=Chandigarh's First LGBT Pride Walk On March 15 - Gaylaxy Magazine|website=gaylaxymag.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gaylaxymag.com/exclusive/2013-what-it-meant-for-lgbt-india/#gs.9pjEqa4|title=2013: What It Meant For LGBT India - Gaylaxy Magazine|website=gaylaxymag.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref> The Pride March route typically begins at the [[Panjab University]] Student Centre and culminates at Sector 17 plaza in Chandigarh.<ref name=":0" /> The march incorporates several local folk dances such as [[Dhol]] and Gidda.<ref name=":1" />

== History ==

=== 2013 ===
The first pride march in Chandigarh was held on 15 March 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130316/cth1.htm#8|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories|website=tribuneindia.com|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref> The parade started from Panjab University Student Centre and ended at the City Centre, which is at the heart of Chandigarh. Although more than 500 people were expected to participate, the turnout was low with only 100 people participating in the city's first pride march.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/hindustan-times-lucknow/20180204/281968903133111|title=Beyond the Rainbow|last=Mulchandani|first=Lavina|date=4 February 2018|website=Press Reader}}</ref>

=== 2014 ===
The second edition of the Chandigarh Pride Walk was organised on 2 March 2014. It was the culmination of the LGBT celebrations week which started on February 23.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gaylaxymag.com/latest-news/chandigarh-to-hold-second-queer-pride-parade-on-march-2nd/#gs.kimWnSs|title=Chandigarh To Hold Second Queer Pride Parade On March 2nd - Gaylaxy Magazine|website=gaylaxymag.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref> The celebrations came against the backdrop of the Supreme Court Verdict on [[Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code|Section 377]] on 11 December 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-sets-aside-delhi-hc-verdict-decriminalising-gay-sex/article5446939.ece|title=Supreme Court sets aside Delhi HC verdict decriminalising gay sex|last=Venkatesan|first=J.|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-06-17|language=en}}</ref> The week long celebrations included a conversation on Gender and Sexuality and a [[Qawwali]] and Kavi Durbar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gaylaxymag.com/latest-news/chandigarh-to-hold-second-queer-pride-parade-on-march-2nd/#gs.ujbU0DA|title=Chandigarh To Hold Second Queer Pride Parade On March 2nd - Gaylaxy Magazine|website=gaylaxymag.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref> During the march, participants raised slogans against the Supreme Court ruling on Section 377 and sought legal and social protections for the LGBT community.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gaylaxymag.com/latest-news/chandigarh-successfully-hosts-2nd-lgbt-pride-walk/#gs.AjUozCY|title=Chandigarh Successfully Hosts 2nd LGBT Pride Walk - Gaylaxy Magazine|website=gaylaxymag.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref>

=== 2015 ===
The city hosted the [[LGBT|LGBTIQ]] Pride parade for the third time on 8 March 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/sPQTyr0krBXIm41Y3xcLOJ/The-Pride-returns-to-Chandigarh.html|title=The Pride returns to Chandigarh|last=Ratnam|first=Dhamini|date=2015-03-03|work=livemint.com/|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref> This edition saw the participation of a large number of people, especially students of Panjab University, who did not identify themselves as LGBTIQ, but turned up in support of the LGBTIQ people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/pride-walk-brings-lgbt-issues-to-heart-of-city/story-SkpHRANpKhwipRLnUv4EZL.html|title=Pride walk brings LGBT issues to heart of city|date=2015-03-09|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=2018-06-30|language=en}}</ref> Students' organisations such as [[Ambedkar Students' Association]] (ASA) and [[Students For Society]] (SFS) had extended support for the march.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/sPQTyr0krBXIm41Y3xcLOJ/The-Pride-returns-to-Chandigarh.html|title=The Pride returns to Chandigarh|last=Ratnam|first=Dhamini|date=2015-03-03|work=livemint.com/|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref>

=== 2016 ===
The fourth edition of the city's pride march took place on 6 March 2016. Several student organisations from Panjab University, IISER and Chitkara University were expected to participate in this edition of the pride march.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/4th-edition-of-chandigarh-pride-walk-to-be-held-on-sunday/|title=4th edition of Chandigarh Pride Walk to be held on Sunday|date=2016-03-06|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-06-30|language=en-US}}</ref> Their demands included: enactment of comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, class, caste, religion, tribe, ability, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, effective implementation of the provisions of the Supreme Court judgment in NALSA versus Union of India on the rights of trans people, stringent action against violence against minorities and the silencing of freedom of expression and dissent, and repeal of Section 377 (unnatural offences, sex against order of nature) of the Indian Penal Code.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/lgbt-community-holds-fourth-pride-walk-at-pu/story-BoV5XvB5Qb3oEhFXLCO6dP.html|title=LGBT community holds fourth Pride walk at PU|date=2016-03-07|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=2018-06-30|language=en}}</ref>

=== 2017 ===
In 2017, the city named the LGBTQ celebrations "Garvotsav" (translates to: A Festival of Pride) which was a week-long event which wrapped up with the Pride march on 26 March 2017. The festival included a flash mob, plays, film screenings, seminars and other events to encourage open discussion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gaylaxymag.com/exclusive/chandigarh-pride-2017-garvotsava/|title=Chandigarh's Garvotsava Ends with Powerful Pride Walk - Gaylaxy Magazine|website=gaylaxymag.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Aditya Bondyopadhyay|title=Aditya Bondyopadhyay's Speech on LGBT Rights at Chandigarh Pride-26March2017|date=2017-03-29|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpWPLGvmXaE|accessdate=2017-07-27}}</ref> The march was organised by Saksham Trust and Alankar Theatre Chandigarh with support from the Canadian embassy.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://chandigarhbytes.com/chandigarh-lgbtq-pride-walk-2017-celebrating-the-gender-sexual-diversity/|title=Chandigarh LGBTQ Pride Walk 2017: Celebrating the Gender & Sexual Diversity|date=2017-03-24|work=Chandigarh Bytes|access-date=2018-06-30|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/at-pu-canada-reiterates-support-for-transgender-rights/557097.html|title=At PU, Canada reiterates support for transgender rights|last=Thakur|first=Bhartesh Singh|website=Tribune}}</ref>

=== 2018 ===
The 2018 Chandigarh Pride Week "Garvotsav" celebrations began on March 12 and ended with the Pride March on 18 March 2018. The event was organised by Saksham Trust and Nazariya Foundation, a short film productions company. The Canadian Embassy also co-sponsored the celebrations for the second consecutive year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsnumber.com/news/6th-edition-of-lgbt-pride-week,-garvotsava-2018-ends-on-a-colourful-note/85643|title=NewsNumber {{!}} 6th Edition of LGBT Pride week, Garvotsava 2018 ends on a colourful note|website=newsnumber.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/pride-week-concludes-with-a-rainbow-of-hope/articleshow/63360479.cms|title=Pride Week concludes with a rainbow of hope - Times of India ►|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref>

=== 2019 ===
The 2019 Chandigarh Pride Week "Garvotsav" starting earlier than previous years, 25 February, ended with a pride march on 3 March 2019. More than 250 people attended the pride march from [[Panjab University|Punjab University]] to Sector 17.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailypost.in/news/chandigarh/panjab-university-event/|title=Garvotsav: Chandigarh Pride 2019: CHANDIGARH: More than 250 people|date=2019-03-05|website=Latest Punjab News, Breaking News Punjab, India News {{!}} Daily Post|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref> With this year a special focus on transgender sexual identity acceptance, the walk was organized by Mangalmukhi transgender welfare society and Saksham trust. The pride week got co-funded by the Canadian embassy for the third consecutive year. Several other organisations, [[Humsafar Trust|Humsafar]] trust, [[Harmless Hugs]], [[Family Planning Association of India|FPAI]] and Keshav Suri Foundation collaborated with the NGOs for the walk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/chandigarh/chandigarh-celebrates-its-various-colours-with-pride/articleshow/68268559.cms|title=Chandigarh celebrates its various colours with pride - Times of India|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref><ref>https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/walking-the-talk-on-gender-identity/737614.html</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links==
* https://web.archive.org/web/20170818012011/https://signedevents.com/india/chandigarh/lgbt-pride-walk-chandigarh-2017/

[[Category:2013 establishments in Chandigarh]]
[[Category:Pride parades in India]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2013]]

Chandigarh LGBT Pride Walk - Revision history

>Citation bot at 08:50, 16 August 2021