(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

A couple hugging each other after the parade (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Rohan Pujari (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Awadh Queer Pride Parade while crossing Hazratganj (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Tanzeel showing his rainbow hues (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Darvesh Singh Yadavendra (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Surabhi (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Jatin (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Jatin (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Priyam (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Prakash distributing awareness material about LGBTIA during the parade (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

Tinesh (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

In a joyous first, members of the Awadh Pride Committee organized the state's first Awadh Queer Pride Parade in Lucknow on Sunday. The members left no stone unturned to make the event a memorable one – with rainbow flags, balloons and celebratory dhol beats, the streets of Lucknow wore a happy and gay look. Slogans like 'My Body My Rights', 'Humari Azadi Hum Chheen Ke Lengey', 'Hum Jhoom Ke Lengey' and 'I am Gay and It's Okay!' made several passersby stop their vehicles and capture the moment on their phone cameras.(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav Starting from Sikandarbagh Chauraha, the 1.5km parade, which culminated at the Gandhi Park in Hazratganj, saw the participation of members of the LGBTIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and asexual) community from not only Lucknow, but all over the country. A happy and surprised Venkatesh, who came all the way from Kolkata to be a part of the parade, said, "I am amazed to see so many people from our community turning up for this parade. When I was coming here, I’d thought 50 people – at most – would attend. But the turnout is phenomenal. I mean, the number must be around 200-300! This really is a proud moment for all of us."Ram(L) and Faraz hug each other at the parade (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)Key organizer Darvesh Singh Yadavendra'’s joy knew no bounds when the parade concluded. "Like many others, I’m also surprised to see so many people coming out and supporting us. It is very moving for me and for everyone participating. We have had a rocking debut in Lucknow – this is better than a lot of other pride walks organized in the country, This is just the beginning; we have a long way to go. This parade in Lucknow will now be an annual affair," said Darvesh.Earning several glances from passersby for his rainbow-coloured beard, Ram, who runs an NGO, said, "The idea of dyeing my beard came to me because I wanted to show people that I am gay without having to hold a flag or wear a rainbow-coloured badge. I wanted something that’s mine that can proclaim the cause I am here for," he said.A couple hugging each other after the paradeRohan Pujari, a runner-up at the Indian leg of an international queer pageant, who came from Mumbai, said, "In Delhi and Mumbai, we expect people to come out and participate in the parade, but to see so many people in Lucknow participating is commendable and encouraging. I think Lucknow is really cool!"Rohan PujariAnd it wasn't just the LGBTIA who made it to the parade – many straight people also came to support the cause. "I am here for my friend, who is gay. We study in the same college and are really good friends. He wanted me to come with him as this is a big moment in his life. So even though I am not gay, I am here as a citizen of India fighting for the cause of my friend’s sexual orientation," said Akshat, a college student.And finally, when everyone gathered at the Gandhi Park, there was non-stop dancing to celebrate the success of everyone's efforts, followed by promises to meet again in Lucknow next year for the next parade.Awadh Queer Pride Parade while crossing Hazratganj(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)Tanzeel showing his rainbow hues (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)Darvesh Singh YadavendraSurabhiPriyam(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)Prakash distributing awareness material about LGBTIA during the parade(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)Tinesh