After last year’s successful and vibrant queer pride march, which saw over 600 people celebrating and affirming queer lives in Bengaluru alone, Karnataka is gearing up for its second edition christened Karnataka Queer Habba. This year we as individuals and organisations, under the banner of Campaign for Sex-workers and Sexual Minorities Rights (CSMR), have decided to extend the festivities to a week beginning with a cricket match on June 21st and culminating with the pride march on June 28th. Come celebrate along with us as Bangalore’s LGBTQ community paints the town pink on the 28th June 2009. Like last year, this time too the pride march will begin at National College, Basavanagudi at 2:00 p.m and go up to Puttanachetty Town Hall via Sajjan Rao Circle and Minerva Circle and will culminate with a series of speeches as we gather on the Town Hall steps. Celebrities including actress Arundhati Nag will address the celebration at the end of the march.
After the success of last year’s pride we have decided to host an even bigger event christened “Karnataka Queer Habba” this year. As a run up to this year’s Pride March we will be hosting a week of events across the city. The events will include:
“Queering the Pitch”: Cricket Match
When : Sunday, June 21st, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where : RBANMS Play Ground, Gangadhar Chetty Road, Ulsoor.
Contact : Gurukiran 98803 65692 or Sunil 99450 90301
Dalit-Sexual Minorities Dialogue on Stigma and Discrimination
When : Monday, June 22nd, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where : Indian Social Institute, 24 Benson Road
Contact : Manohar 96322 23460
Release of Human Rights Watch Report - This Alien Legacy: The Origins of “Sodomy” Laws in British Colonialism - followed by a discussion “Laws that Terrorise: Threats to Indian Democracy”
When : Tuesday, June 23rd, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where : Institute of Agricultural Technologies, Queens Road.
Contact : Arvind 99800 10933
Pirat Dyke Film Screening of One in Ten and Desert Hearts
When : Wednesday, June 24th, 6 p.m.
Where : Swabhava Office, 4th Floor, No. 1., M.S. Plaza,
13th A Cross, 4th Main Road, Sampangiramnagar (opposite
Sampangiramnagar Police Station)
Contact : Nitya 99164 82928
Public Discussion on Religion and Sexuality
When : Thursday, June 25th, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where : United Theological College (UTC), Millers Road
Contact : Shubha 92434 46105
Evening of Theatre and Dance Performance
When : Friday, June 26th, 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where : Seva Sadan, 14th Cross Malleswaram, opposite MLA College (between Sampige Road and Margosa Road)
Contact : Sonu 99450 90301
Story Telling Sessions
When : Saturday, June 27th, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where : Cubbon Park
Contact : Deepak 93437 63497
Bengaluru Pride 2009
When : Sunday, June 28th, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where : National College Basavanagudi to Puttanachetty
Town Hall via Sajjan Rao Circle, Minerva Circle and J.C. Road. Here's a map of the route.
Contact : Siddharth 98450 01168 or Nithin 98860 81269
Fund raising for Bengaluru Pride '09
Hello!
Bengaluru Queer Pride is in its second year and we hope to make it an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trasngender identity and community.
Starting on June 21, there will be a number of events highlighting issues that affect lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people under the banner of Karnataka Queer Habba. (for more information visit www.bengalurupride.org). These events leading up to the Bengaluru Pride will be held across the city and in other parts of the state like Nelamangala and Dharwad . On June 28, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, friends, family and supporters will parade through the streets of Bangalore to show that while our community, though marginalised, not only exists but lives, proud of who we are.
While a large part of the costs of the Bengaluru Pride -- including rainbow flags, t-shirts, hats,and masks for those who are afraid to be recognised, water, music, posters, fliers and pamphlet - are borne by queer or queer friendly organisations in Bangalore, we are committed to making Bengaluru Pride an event that is for and by the LGBT community, family, friends and supporters.
We invite you to do your bit to support Bengaluru Pride. Please email bengalurupride@gmail.com to make a financial contribution. Every little bit helps, so donations of any denomination are welcome!
Love and Solidarity,
Bengaluru Pride Organisers