Queer pride march organised in Thiruvananthapuram
Their main aim is to repeal Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code
Thiruvananthapuram: Transgender activist and blogger Smiley Vidya has urged the government to provide reservation to transgenders in jobs and education.
Smiley Vidya was speaking at the public meeting in connection with the sixth Kerala Queer Pride March organised by the group Queer Pride Keralam at Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
“We just want to walk around with dignity,” Smiley Vidya said in an emotion-soaked speech. The march was organised at a historic juncture in world history when the USA has legalized same sex marriage.
Members, activists and supporters of the LGBT community from all over the world marched from Manaveeyam Veedhi to Hassan Marikar Hall, Palayam. This was followed by a public meeting after which there were cultural performances by members of the LGBT community.
This march was a celebration by one of the most oppressed minorities of Kerala who want to celebrate their life.
Their main aim is to repeal Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which considers homosexuality to be against the order of nature.
This human rights violation is a colonial law which was passed during the British Imperialistic rule based on Victorian principles.
CPI leader and former MLA Rajaji Thomas Mathew, Sabriye Tenberken, one of the founders of Kanthari Institute, and activist Rekha Raj spoke at the meeting. Mika, a Malayali transgender, while speaking to Deccan Chronicle said: “I am forced to walk around like a male if I have to live in my own state or else I would be forced to seek refuge in other states.”
