LGBTI Indians and their allies braved temperatures of three degrees for Darjeeling’s first Pride Walk on Monday (10 December)

Attendees carried banners and balloons and waved pride flags as they walked through the Himalayan town, famous for its nearby tea plantations, according to The Quint.

They celebrated India’s landmark decriminalisation of gay sex. In September, the Supreme Court ruled Section 377 of the Penal Code was unconstitutional. The colonial-ear law criminalized gay sex with up to 10 years in jail.

‘We are thankful to Supreme Court of India’ organizer Lakpa Tamang told the The Quint.

‘Now we have to convince people in the hill to accept that we can choose our life partner according to our desire’ Tamang also said.

What’s more, another organizer, Rura Rai of local LGBTI organization Miitjyu said they were surprised at the number of attendees.

‘It is very moving for me and for everyone participating. This is just the beginning and we have a long way to go’, Rai said according to The Quint.

Rai also noted that LGBTI Indians have less rights than in nearby Nepal.

Attendees carried signs saying ‘My Body My Rights’, ‘I am Gay and It’s Okay’, ‘We are human, we have rights too’, The Quint reported.

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