Kerala:
In a first in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, nearly 200 members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or LGBT paraded across the streets, dressed in varied hues, demanding the revocation of section 377 of the Indian Penal Code or IPC and asking for a life of dignity.
The sixth edition of the 'Queer Pride March' started from 'Manaveeyam Veedhi' in Thiruvananthapuram.
"I am gay. It is alright. I am lesbian. It is alright" the members shouted slogans in protest.
"We just want to break loose from the awful stereotype to which we are associated. We are just asking that we should not be looked down upon. Why call all of us Hijras?" asked Seema, a transgender.
"A lot needs to change in Kerala and India. Why have the obsolete IPC section 377? How can anyone stop us from being normal? We face prejudices at every stage of our life"' added another member.
Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalises homosexuality. In December 2013, the Supreme Court had set aside a Delhi High Court judgment decriminalising gay sex and left it to the Parliament to take a decision on amending the law.