Pune Pride

Pune Pride is an annual LGBT pride parade that was first held in Pune, Maharashtra on 11 December 2011. It is the second Pride parade to be organized in the state of Maharashtra, after the Mumbai Queer Azaadi Parade.

2011

The 11 December 2011 parade was the first open pride parade event in Pune's history, and was organized by SAMAPATHIK TRUST, PUNE (Reg. No E3662)(founded by Gay Activist Bindumadhav Khire).^[1] Samapathik Trust Staff had requested participants, who numbered around 50-60 according to Daily News and Analysis, (actual participants were 93) to not wear masks and to wear professional clothing in order to reflect the culturally-conservative "ethos" of the city.^[2] Participants who came from Mumbai noted the comparatively subdued atmosphere of the parade in comparison to the more-flamboyant atmosphere of Pride events in Mumbai. The parade was preceded the previous day by a Queer Fest in the Kala Chhaya,^[3] which was organized by Open Space, Birds of a Feather, The Queer Chronicle which is India's longest running LGBT monthly online magazine (Source: Indian Express, 8 November 2012) and Quintessence and hosted over 200 participants.

2014

The fourth edition of the Pune LGBT Pride March will be held on Sunday, 9 November 2014.^[4] Organized by Samapathik Trust, Pune. The Theme of this year would be "Youngistan Zindabaad". “As the theme suggests, we are focusing on youngsters because we want them to accept their sexuality. Even if they do not participate, if they come and watch the parade, it’s okay. That is the reason we have even changed the route this year. So the route is from Sambhaji Park, JM Road, Deccan, Fergusson Road, Shitole Road and then back to Sambhaji Park,” said Bindumadhav Khire, gay activist and founder of Samapathik Trust. The parade will take place between 11 am and 12.15 pm.

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