(BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)

The Gomti Riverfront wore a festive look as the Awadh Queer Committee organised a flashmob amid hundreds of visitors on Saturday evening. People who were there already were pleasantly surprised as some of the visitors started to dance suddenly.The event was organised in collaboration with Humsafar Trust of Mumbai to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia ( IDAHOT ).Members of the Awadh Queer Committee dancing in the flash mob (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)“IDAHOT is commemorated each year on May 17. On this date the World Health Organisation officially declassified homosexuality as a mental illness. IDAHOT is used as an opportunity to raise awareness and remember the harm that homophobia, transphobia and biphobia can cause to individuals. So in this anniversary week, we thought of organising this flashmob to create awareness," said Darvesh Singh Yadavendra, key organiser of the event.The members also raised slogans in support of their community and causeYadavendra further added, "The Awadh Queer Committee has been the torch-bearer of the Queer Movement in Lucknow by organising the first Pride Parade in the city last month. Our efforts were greatly appreciated by other social activists."An activist dancing in support of the cause (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)Even though the event started a tad late, a huge crowd had gathered at the venue and the members received a huge round of applause and cheers of appreciation for their dance on various Bollywood and English numbers. However, the dancers got maximum cheers from the crowd when they danced to 'Maa Da Ladla.' Soon other members of the community and their supporters also joined in to have fun. Several bystanders and visitors to the Riverfront also joined in the revelry. "I am surprised to see such an event happening in a city like Lucknow. I am here with my boyfriend and see I am now dancing with these guys who are fighting for their rights in a unique way," said Apoorva, a collegian.Friends at the event taking a selfie (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)The event concluded with members of the LGBTIQ community raising various slogans like 'Kaun sa kanoon sabse battar, 377 377' etc.HAIR FOR YOU! Lovepreet (L), Abhay and Kartik (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)Daksh strikes a pose in his friend's arms (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)Preeti, Sadaf Jafar and Swati (L-R) (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)