Organizers hope to raise awareness of LGBT issues in the Indian state.

Goa Hosts Its First Pride Parade Ever

The Indian state of Goa hosted its first LGBT Pride parade today.

Organizers of Goa Rainbow Pride Walk 2017 in Goa’s capital, Panaji, believe that the event will help raise awareness of LGBT issues in the state.

Goas first Pride parade! 💜💙💚💛❤ #gaypride #pride #goapride #goa #goalife A post shared by hindihanna (@hindihanna) on Oct 28, 2017 at 3:22am PDT

The planning committee took inspiration from previous LGBT events in other Indian states when organizing Goa’s celebration, which also includes parties and an LGBT film festival.

“We hope this walk will get rid of homophobia in some way,” event organizer Alexander Fernandes tells It’s Goa. “We want people to know that we are not harmful or ‘bad people.’ We deserve respect like anyone else, and that we too have human rights.”

Same love? Same love. #lgbtqpride #goa A post shared by Gretchen Barretto🎯 (@pitch_please_) on Oct 28, 2017 at 5:20am PDT

“We have a large LGBT community in Goa, but most prefer to stay under the scanner since it’s a very small place and everyone knows each other,” adds organizer Diana Dias. “However, we are trying to create more awareness now.”

Parade organizers, who have insisted that the event avoid religion and politics, asked participants not to wear any costumes that could potentially offend conservative Goa residents. Participants were also permitted to wear masks if they preferred to keep their identity private.

See more photos from today’s Goa Pride events below.

With all the proud people <3 #goapride #firstever #lgbtq #equality #samelove A post shared by Antara Bhide (@pagal_bandar) on Oct 28, 2017 at 3:21am PDT

Goa just held its first ever pride parade and here are a few moments captured by Sumit Pawar who was on ground streaming the parade on our handle! The festivities in Goa continue with film screenings, parties and meet ups! Follow us to stay in the loop with Goa pride and the upcoming pride events across Delhi & Bangalore! @sumitpawar3158 A post shared by Delta App (@thedeltaapp) on Oct 28, 2017 at 5:28am PDT

panjim | today we marched in goa's very first pride parade. we love you ✌🏽🏳️‍🌈 A post shared by ☾ kristy robinson (@kristyrebecca) on Oct 28, 2017 at 6:02am PDT

Goa's first pride parade 🌈 A post shared by …. (@erasxr) on Oct 28, 2017 at 5:00am PDT

Goa, a former Portuguese colony with a predominantly Hindu population, is a popular tourist destination because of its beaches. Gay entrepreneur Varun Singal opened a gay-friendly yoga retreat in Goa earlier this year.

Homosexuality in India is still illegal under Section 377 of the penal code, which bans all sex other than heterosexual missionary position. However, an overwhelming majority of the Indian population supports the decriminalization of gay sex.