StevieBavin8727 at 10:29, 14 April 2026

2026-04-14T10:29:09Z

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{{short description|Annual LGBT event in Kerala}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| genre = [[Pride parade]]
| image = Pride march Thrissur 2018 03.jpg
| caption = Kerala Queer Pride March at Thrissur 2018
| location = [[Kerala]]
| country = India
| frequency = Annually
| years_active = 2010-present
| first = {{Start year and age|2010}}
| last = 2024
}}
'''Kerala Queer Pride''' is an annual [[pride parade]] and associated series of events held in the Indian state of Kerala to celebrate the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities. The event serves as a platform for [[LGBTQ people|LGBTQIA+]] communities and their allies to advocate for equal rights, social acceptance, and visibility. It typically includes public marches, cultural programs, panel discussions, film screenings, and community outreach activities. There was initially a perception that the Pride March was for the 'trans community', but it has since been attended by gays, lesbians, all other LGBTQ+ groups, and other LGBT supporters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Queer Pride March: 'Sooner or later, the world will be much more open for us' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/sooner-or-later-the-world-will-be-much-more-open-for-us/articleshow/66119438.cms |work=The Times of India |date=12 November 2018}}</ref> Queer Pride Kerala is an independent, non-profit initiative for queer rights and unity, according to their Facebook page.<ref name="Mathrubhumi2"/>

==History==
Kerala Queer Pride began in 2010 as part of a broader movement for LGBTQIA+ visibility and rights in India. First Kerala Queer Pride march was held at [[Thrissur]] on July 2, 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Freedom in God's own country |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2010/Jul/24/freedom-in-gods-own-country-172572.html |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref> Kerala Queer Pride later become a platform for sexual minorities to come together.<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news |title=Freedom in God's own country |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/hundreds-take-part-in-lgbtq-pride-parade/article25150867.ece |access-date=March 25, 2026 |date=October 7, 2018}}</ref>

==Editions==
===Kerala Queer Pride 2010===
The first Kerala Queer Pride March was held in Thrissur on July 2, 2010, to mark the first anniversary of the Delhi High Court verdict that legalized homosexuality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kerala-to-host-its-first-gay-parade/articleshow/6112610.cms|title=Kerala to host its first gay parade|website=The Times of India|date=30 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala opens the closet |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2010/Jul/10/kerala-opens-the-closet-168712.html |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref> The motto of the 2010 Queer Pride March, which was attended by approximately 500 people, was 'From Silence to Celebration'.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gay pride, fanaticism queer the pitch in Kerala |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/gay-pride-fanaticism-queer-the-pitch-in-kerala/articleshow/6131213.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=5 July 2010}}</ref>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2011===
The second edition of Kerala Queer Pride was also held at Thrissur.<ref name="Utharakalam">{{cite news |title=ക്വിയര്‍ പ്രൈഡ് 2012: മണ്‍സൂണിലെ മഴവില്‍ വസന്തം |url=https://utharakalam.com/2012/12/25/4226.html |work=Utharakalam |date=25 December 2012}}</ref>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2012===
Although it was announced that the Queer Pride March, which was held in Thrissur in the first two years, would be held in Thrissur as usual, later on, following the silence of previous organizers of Kerala Queer Pride, a queer pride march was organized in Kozhikode on 26 July 2012 under the leadership of Malabar Cultural Forum (MCF).<ref name="Utharakalam"/>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2013===
The 4th annual queer pride march was held at Thrissur on July 2, 2013.<ref name="anannia">{{cite web |title=4th Kerala Queer Parade |url=https://anannia.org/activities/2013-07-02-4th-kerala-queer-par/ |website=anannia.org}}</ref> About 300 members participated in the march that started from Vidyarthi Corner and ended at Kerala Sahithya Akadami.<ref name="anannia"/><ref>{{cite web |title=2013: WHAT IT MEANT FOR LGBT INDIA |url=https://www.gaylaxymag.com/exclusive/2013-what-it-meant-for-lgbt-india/}}</ref>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2014===
5th Kerala Queer pride march was held in [[Kochi]] on July 26, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=5th Queer pride march Feature Photo 5th Queer Pride Mar... |url=https://timescontent.timesofindia.com/photo/feature/5th-Queer-pride-march/383798 |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=Times Of India |language=English}}</ref> The march was organised by the Queer Pride Keralam Group, which includes Queerala, a support group for the LGBT community, and Sahayathrika, a human rights organisation for lesbian and bisexual women in Kerala, and others who support LGBT community.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Fifth Kerala LGBT parade pride held |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-fifth-kerala-lgbt-parade-pride-held-2005667 |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2015===
The sixth edition of the Kerala Queer Pride march was held on August 12, 2015, at [[Kozhikode]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Manu |first1=Gayatri |title=Kerala District Sets up Grievance Redressal Cell for LGBT Community |url=https://thebetterindia.com/69016/kozhikode-sexual-diversity-grievance-cell/ |work=thebetterindia.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2016===
The seventh edition of the queer pride parade held in [[Kozhikode]] on August 13, 2016.<ref name="Manorama">{{cite news |title=Heralding freedom and dignity: queer pride parade graces Kozhikode |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/queer-pride-parade-kozhikode-photos-transgender-lgbt.html |work=OnManorama |publisher=[[Malayala Manorama]]}}</ref> Parade started from [[Kozhikode Beach]] and concluded at Tagore Hall.<ref name="Manorama"/> Then [[Thrithala Assembly constituency|Thrithala]] MLA [[V. T. Balram]] inaugurated the parade.<ref name="Manorama"/>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2017===
The 8th Kerala Queer Pride 2017 was held in Kochi on August 12, 2017.<ref name="samayam">{{cite news |title=മഴവില്ലഴകിൽ കൊച്ചി; എട്ടാമത് കേരള ക്വിയർ പ്രൈഡ് ഇന്ന് കൊച്ചിയിൽ |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/latest-news/kerala-news/today-kerala-queer-pride-at-kochi/articleshow/60032095.cms |work=Samayam Malayalam |publisher=[[The Times of India]] |language=ml}}</ref> The procession started from Vanchi Square in Menaka and ended at [[Maharaja's College, Kochi|Maharaja's College]] Auditorium.<ref name="samayam"/> Apart from the public meeting, seminars, cultural programs, film screenings, and discussions also held as part of this.<ref name="samayam"/>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2018===
[[File:9thpride kerala stage.jpg|thumb|9th Kerala Queer Pride public meeting]]
9th edition of the Kerala Queer Pride march was held in Thrissur on October 7, 2018.<ref name="Hindu"/> Manaveeyam Queer rally, a precursor to the 9th Kerala Queer Pride march, was held in Thiruvananthapuram on August 12, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Queer Pride rally held in Thiruvananthapuram |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/queer-pride-rally-held-in-city/article24672923.ece |date=August 13, 2018}}</ref>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2019===
The 10th Queer Pride March of the state was held at [[Kochi]], on November 20, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala Queer community says, "We still have a long way to go" |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/72142263.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst |work=The Times of India |date=20 November 2019}}</ref>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2020&2021===
Kerala Queer Pride parade was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samuel |first=Bijin |title=ഇന്റർസെക്‌സായ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങളെ ജനിക്കുംമുന്നേ കൊന്നുകളയുന്നു; മനുഷ്യനെന്ന പരിഗണന പോലും ലഭിക്കുന്നില്ല: ആദി |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/style/love-n-life/2022/02/16/kozhikode-govt-b-ed-college-students-aadhi-on-struggles-of-lgbtiq-community-in-society.html |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Manorama Online |publisher=[[Malayala Manorama]] |language=ml}}</ref>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2022===
The 11th edition of the Kerala Queer Pride was held at [[Kollam]], on September 16–18, 2022.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2022-09-13 |title=Queer Pride parade in Kollam on September 18 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/queer-pride-parade-in-kollam-on-september-18/article65886134.ece |access-date=2026-03-25 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Along with the Queer Pride parade, art exhibition, documentary screening, public meeting and cultural programmes were also organised.<ref name=":0" /> The event was inaugurated by father of Anannyah Kumari Alex, a social activist who was the first transgender to contest assembly elections in the state, who later committed suicide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Late transgender activist Anannyah's father to flag off Kerala Queer Pride march |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/17/queer-pride-kollam-lgbtq-community-anannyah.html |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=Onmanorama.com |publisher=[[Malayala Manorama]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2023===
The 12th Kerala Queer Pride was held in [[Malappuram]] on 28 and 29 October. The first day saw an art exhibition and discussions on three topics, while the second day saw discussions, a Queer Pride march, a closing ceremony and cultural programmes.<ref name="News18">{{cite news |title=12-ാമത് കേരള ക്വീർ പ്രൈഡ് റാലി മലപ്പുറത്ത്; സൈബർ ഭീഷണി നേരിടുന്നുവെന്ന് സംഘാടകർ |url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/kerala/malappuram-12th-queer-pride-rally-organised-by-the-lgbtq-collective-in-kerala-to-be-held-in-malappuram-mm-634206.html |work=News18 Malayalam |language=en-IE}}</ref> On the closing day, a DJ show by DJ Pete held on the open stage of the Malappuram Town Hall.<ref name="News18"/> The event was titled ''Malappuram Mazhavil Monchil Thilangum''.<ref name="News18"/> The march scheduled for September was postponed following [[Nipah virus outbreaks in Kerala|Nipah outbreak]] in Kozhikode.<ref name="onmanorama">{{cite news |title=As Malappuram prepares to host Queer Pride, organisers complain about receiving threats |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/10/25/kerala-queer-pride-organisers-complain-about-threats.html |work=As Malappuram prepares to host Queer Pride, organisers complain about receiving threats |language=en}}</ref>

The logo of the 12th pride march was inspired by 'Islamic Geometry Art'.<ref name="Mathrubhumi2">{{cite news |title='Against queerphobia and Islamophobia': Logo of 12th Kerala Queer Pride 2023, Malappuram released |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/-against-queerphobia-and-islamophobia-logo-of-12th-kerala-queer-pride-2023-malappuram-released-3e2cbe70 |work=@mathrubhumi |date=7 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The Queer Pride group had said that the logo would send a message that Queer Pride Kerala's politics are against '[[queerphobia]]' and '[[Islamophobia]]'.<ref name="Mathrubhumi2"/>

Opposition to the organizers of the event, which is being held for the first time in Malappuram, and the event itself, has been raised from many quarters.<ref name="News18"/> An organization called Youth Empowerment Society of Kerala (YES Kerala) has put up hoardings against the event at various places in the district.<ref>{{cite news |title=Despite protests, 12th Kerala Queer Pride event begins in Malappuram |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/Oct/29/despite-protests-12th-kerala-queer-pride-event-begins-in-malappuram-2627965.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=29 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="onmanorama"/>

===Kerala Queer Pride 2024===
the 13th edition of the Kerala Queer Pride was held in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], on October 17–20, 2024.<ref name="Hindu2">{{cite news |title=Celebration of pride returns to capital city as 13th Kerala Queer Pride set to take place in Thiruvananthapuram |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/kerala-queer-pride-13th-edition-in-thiruvananthapuram-lgbtq-rights/article68756153.ece |date=October 17, 2024}}</ref> The event featured panel discussions on LGBTQIA+ community rights, a student meet, film screenings, a DJ night, an exhibition by queer artists, stalls by queer entrepreneurs, and a Pride March starting from the [[Kerala Government Secretariat]] and ending at [[Manaveeyam Veedhi]] on October 20 at different venues in the city like Bharat Bhavan, Gandhi Park, and Manaveeyam Veedhi.<ref name="Hindu2"/> As a part of the event, the first-ever Queer-Trans Student Meet-Up was organized at Bharat Bhavan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala Queer Pride comes to the capital |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2024/Oct/10/kerala-queer-pride-comes-to-the-capital |work=The New Indian Express |date=10 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{LGBT in India}}
{{Asia topic|LGBT rights in}}

[[Category:2010 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:2010 in LGBTQ history]]
[[Category:Culture of Kerala]]
[[Category:Pride parades in India]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2010]]

Kerala Queer Pride - Revision history

StevieBavin8727 at 10:29, 14 April 2026