On the eve of the 9th Mumbai Pride march, despondency ran deep in the LGBTQI community.

The reason for the unpleasantness, which bore itself out on social media with the community (and some supporters) taking sides, is the post-Pride party being organised by Gaysi, a blog which provides "a voice and a safe space to desis (people from the South Asian sub-continent) that identify themselves as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Queer".

The Gaysi announcement which entices saying "AlgoRhythm will be spinning a set", goes on to add in the end: "Men are welcome when accompanied by LGBT persons". That sting towards the tail seems to have set up the proverbial cat among the pigeons for some gay men who have taken umbrage. The annual all-inclusive Gay Bombay Party had to be deferred as a venue was not available. While some are still talking of a parallel party for all at Kurla, not many are sure.

Leading the charge was national awardee film-maker from Mumbai Apurva Asrani. "I remember how grateful I was when DNA did a story on how gay couples were denied entry into bars and nightclubs for New Year's. If that was horrendously discriminatory, Gaysi's restriction of stags and gay couples blew my socks off," he said.

Anuja Parikh of Gaysi said she was appalled how the discrimination that DNA had highlighted was being mixed up with what they are doing. "Every year, it's a mixed crowd party. But the numbers tell us how skewed the ratios are. Last year, there were 900 men and 80 women. If women want to feel uncomfortable about being in the same place as so many men, why can't we have our own party on our terms," she said. All eyes will now be on the Pride march on Saturday to see whether the faultlines manifest on the rainbow flag being unfurled at the march.