GUWAHATI, Feb 9 - The seventh edition of the annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Asexual and Queer (LGBTIAQ) pride rally was taken out from Dighalipukhuri on Sunday with participants coming from various parts of Assam.
Over 200 participants gathered at Dighalipukhuri at 1 pm and took out the walk.
�The aim of the rally is to come out on to the streets and show the society, government and various stakeholders that such a vibrant community exits in all its might and pride. Secondly, our aim is to ask the administration to turn its head towards the welfare of the community and lastly, to assure the members of the community that it is alright to be who they are. Even after decriminalisation of homosexuality by the Supreme Court, the condition of the community has not improved,� a participant said.
Another participant added, �Same-sex marriage is still not recognised, homosexual parents are not allowed to adopt children. There is little scope of social security like pension or LIC for same-sex couples, queer subject matter is not included in school or college curriculum even after the Supreme Court�s instruction and there is no strict law against bullying, which is a major issue for queer children.�
�Moreover, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 has not been able to uplift the condition of the transgender population. On the contrary, it has kept scope for misuse and discrimination,� the participant said.
The pride walk demanded making the NRC process inclusive of transgenders, LGBTQ issues a part of school and college curriculum, amending the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, setting up a transgender welfare board in Assam, financial aid for sex reaffirmation surgery, economic and social welfare schemes to uplift the transgender community, conduct sensitisation workshops in government setups like healthcare, educational institutes, police, etc.