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{{Short description|LGBT event in Hyderabad, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}

'''Hyderabad Queer Pride''' has been celebrated on one of the Sundays in February since 2013. First held on 3 February 2013, Hyderabad became the 12th Indian city to join the queer pride march bandwagon, fourteen years after the first Indian pride march was held in [[Kolkata]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/out-in-the-open-they-long-for-acceptance/article4375695.ece|title=Out in the open, they long for acceptance|author=Staff Reporter|date=2013-02-04|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-06-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223063744/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/out-in-the-open-they-long-for-acceptance/article4375695.ece|archive-date=2020-02-23|url-status=live|language=en|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hyderabad-gets-its-own-first-queer-parade-153759-2013-02-11|title=Gay pride and a colour riot: Hyderabad gets its own first queer parade|website=India Today|date=11 February 2013 |language=en|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref> In 2015 it was renamed as Hyderabad Queer Swabhimana Pride, emphasising the self-respect and the acceptance of the community of themselves, as they are.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=http://www.gaylaxymag.com/exclusive/in-pics-telanganas-1st-queer-pride-march-and-hyderabads-3rd/#gs.ehShWWw|title=IN PICS: TELANGANA'S 1ST QUEER PRIDE MARCH (AND HYDERABAD'S 3RD)|last=Matta|first=Avinash|date=2015-02-10|work=Gaylaxy Magazine|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref> In 2016 it was altered to Hyderabad Queer Swabhimana Yatra and has been retained since.

== Political difficulties ==
The march was originally to be held in 2012, however the organisers were denied permission by the police.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://pink-pages.co.in/news-digest/hyderabads-gay-pride-march-refused-permission/|title=Hyderabad's Gay Pride march refused permission - Pink Pages|date=2012-09-23|work=Pink Pages|access-date=2017-06-17|language=en-US|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630134626/https://pink-pages.co.in/news-digest/hyderabads-gay-pride-march-refused-permission/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Scheduled on 14 October 2012, the organisers had to cancel the march when police denied them permission stating that ‘there are too many marches these days’.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2013/feb/04/freedom-at-mid-day-447222.html|title=Freedom at mid-day|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref> Hyderabad is a conservative city in terms of culture and takes pride in its culture, which is highly influenced by the Nizams.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Hyderabad-to-witness-its-first-gay-pride-parade-this-year/articleshow/15114087.cms|title=Hyderabad to witness its first gay pride parade this year - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref> The [[LGBTIQ culture in Hyderabad|LGBTQI culture in Hyderabad]] is seen as a threat to the existing cultural fabric.<ref name=":6" />

== 2013 ==
For the first time ever, [[Necklace Road]] was opened up for a cultural events. Named the Hyderabad Queer Pride 2013, the event was initiated by 42 organisations, consisting a mixture of LGBT support groups and NGOs like Suraksha<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hyderbadfirstqueerpride.blogspot.in/ |title=Home |website=hyderbadfirstqueerpride.blogspot.in}}</ref> as well as corporate groups like [[Facebook]], [[Google]], [[General Electric|GE]], [[Accenture]] and others.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hyderabad-gets-its-own-first-queer-parade-153759-2013-02-10|title=Gay pride and a colour riot: Hyderabad gets its own first queer parade|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref> The participants were mostly youngsters marching from PV Narasimha Rao's Samadhi to the People's Plaza.<ref name=":7" />

== 2014 ==
The second Hyderabad queer pride was held on 23 February 2014, flagged off by actress [[Lakshmi Manchu]] and ended at [[Shilpakala Vedika|Shilpa Kala Vedika]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gaylaxymag.com/articles/current-affairs/glimpses-from-2nd-hyderabad-queer-pride-parade/#gs.PjF3gC4|title=Glimpses From 2nd Hyderabad Queer Pride Parade - Gaylaxy Magazine|website=www.gaylaxymag.com|date=24 February 2014|language=en-US|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref> There were difficulties with the march, which was stopped by the police 10 minutes after its start and resumed after proper documents were checked.<ref name=":0" />

== 2015 ==
The third Hyderabad, and the first Telangana, queer pride was held on 8 February 2015.<ref name=":8" /> The march was renamed Queer Swabhimana Pride, where 'swabhimana' stands for self-respect.<ref name=":8" /> Mobilised by the Telangana Transgender and Hijra Association, the march drew its energy from the murder of Pravallika, a hijra sex worker with an MBA, the previous month, and saw attendance of transgender men and women from the working class.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Queer-pride-parade-held-in-city-with-much-pomp/articleshow/46168914.cms|title=Queer pride parade held in city with much pomp - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/article/705540/on-display-in-hyderabad-queer-pride-without-class-divide|title=On display in Hyderabad, queer pride without class divide|last=Nemana|first=Vivekananda|work=Scroll.in|access-date=2017-06-17|language=en-US}}</ref> The march which was held from [[Goshala|Gowshala]] in [[Kavadiguda]] to [[Indira Park]], was steeped in cultural expressions of Telangana as Bathukamma and Pothuraju, which are part of Bonalu festivities, made their appearance in the event.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Queer-pride-parade-held-in-city-with-much-pomp/articleshow/46168914.cms|title=Queer pride parade held in city with much pomp - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref> The Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah was also present and delivered a speech on the necessity of the Constitution to protect the rights of the citizens irrespective of their identities.<ref name=":1" />

== 2016 ==
The fourth Hyderabad queer pride march renamed as the Queer Swabhimana Yatra, 2016 was held on 21 February 2016.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://gaysifamily.com/2016/02/18/hyderabad-queer-swabhimana-yatra-2016/|title=Hyderabad Queer Swabhimana Yatra 2016|date=2016-02-18|website=Gaysi|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref> The theme for the year was 'My Child, My Pride', thereby inviting the mothers of queer individuals to walk for the yatra.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pressreader.com/india/deccan-chronicle/20160225/282527247508390 |title=Mum's the word: There is something different about this week's pride paparade - the mothers were leading from the front |last=Dhiman |first=Anisha |date=February 25, 2016 |website=PressReader |access-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320223700/http://www.pressreader.com/india/deccan-chronicle/20160225/282527247508390 |archive-date=March 20, 2020}}</ref> The walk was held from Dabeerapura Railway station to Khilawat ground.<ref name=":3" />

== 2017 ==
The fifth [[Hyderabad]] Queer Swabhimana Yatra was held on 19 February 2017.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/nation/2017/feb/19/in-pictures--hyderabad-queer-swabhimana-yatra-100248.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221071158/http://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/nation/2017/feb/19/in-pictures--hyderabad-queer-swabhimana-yatra-100248.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2017|title=IN PICTURES {{!}} Hyderabad Queer Swabhimana Yatra|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref> The yatra started from Krishnakanth Park and ended at BK Guda Park.<ref name=":4" /> The march has presently become a major social event in the city's calendar.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/lgbt-folk-warm-up-for-the-swabhimana-yatra/articleshow/57145808.cms|title=LGBT folk warm up for the Swabhimana Yatra - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-06-17}}</ref>

== 2018 ==
Celebrated on 18 February, the sixth Hyderabad Queer Swabhimana Yatra was organised by Queer Campus, Hyderabad in association with various allied organisations and civil societies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/hyderabad-pride-parade-soaks-city-in-rainbow-colours/articleshow/62986876.cms|title=Hyderabad Pride Parade soaks city in rainbow colours - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref> The annual march traversed 4 kilometers from [[Kacheguda railway station|Kacheguda Railway Station]] to GHMC park, Amberpet to protest against the section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which criminalizes sexual intercourse 'against the order of nature'.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/500-march-for-gay-rights-pride-from-kacheguda-stn-to-amberpet/articleshow/62977022.cms|title=500 march for gay rights & pride from Kacheguda stn to Amberpet - Times of India|date=2018-02-19|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824123005/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/500-march-for-gay-rights-pride-from-kacheguda-stn-to-amberpet/articleshow/62977022.cms|archive-date=2019-08-24|url-status=live}}</ref> Over 50 police personnel helped more than 500 participants consisting of both, members from the LGBTQ+ community and allies to march through the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/living/hyderabad-pride-march-2018-queer-people-allies-talk-about-need-to-extend-debate-beyond-section-377-4359571.html|title=Hyderabad Pride march 2018: Queer people, allies talk about need to extend debate beyond Section 377 - Firstpost|website=www.firstpost.com|date=20 February 2018|access-date=2018-06-30}}</ref>

== 2019 ==
Hyderabad celebrated its 7th edition of the [[Queer]] Swabhimana Yatra on 10 March. Starting from Begumpet Police station, the parade marched on till Shenoy Grounds covering a 4 km walk. Over 300 members from the community, and several other allies, marched for equal rights, inclusion and [[dignity]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2019/mar/11/one-year-after-377-hyderabad-marches-with-pride-1949547.html|title=One year after 377, Hyderabad marches with pride|website=The New Indian Express|date=11 March 2019 |access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref>

This was the first Pride Parade since [[homosexuality]] was decriminalized [<nowiki/>[[Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code|Section 377]] was held unconstitutional in September 2018]. At the Swabhimana Yatra, the [[LGBT community|LGBTQ+]] community celebrated [[gender]] variance and [[sexual diversity]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lbb.in/hyderabad/queer-swabhimana-yatra/|title=There Is A Pride March Happening In Hyderabad & We're Going {{!}} LBB|website=LBB, Hyderabad|access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref> While the struggle for equality continues, the scars the LGBTQ+ community has faced are slowly healing, paving way to an open and inclusive society.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/positive-energy-marked-the-annual-gay-pride-rally/article26509521.ece|title=Walk with Pride|newspaper=The Hindu|date=12 March 2019|last1=Thatipalli|first1=Mallik}}</ref>

== 2022 ==
The parade was suspended for three years due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. In 2022, it was announced that the next occurrence of the parade would take place on November 13, with predictions that about a thousand people would participate.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Telangana|last1=Today|access-date=2022-11-11|title=After 3 yrs, Hyderabad to host Pride March on Nov 13|url=https://telanganatoday.com/after-3-yrs-hyderabad-to-host-pride-march-on-nov-13|date=1 November 2022|website=Telangana Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/021122/hyderabads-queers-to-showcase-pride-through-november-13-walk.html |title=Hyderabad's queers to showcase pride through November 13 walk |date=3 November 2022 |website=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=April 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103015229/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/021122/hyderabads-queers-to-showcase-pride-through-november-13-walk.html |archive-date=November 3, 2022}}</ref> Ultimately, 400 to 600 people participated in the walk, which was held that afternoon.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Veena|last1=Nair|access-date=2022-11-16|title=After a gap of 3 years, Hyderabad welcomed 'March for Pride' with pride|url=https://www.siasat.com/after-three-years-hyderabad-welcomed-march-for-pride-with-pride-2455997/|date=14 November 2022|website=The Siasat Daily}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Amrutha|last1=Kosuru|access-date=2022-11-16|title='Queer Swabhimana Yatra': LGBTQ community marches through Hyderabad; calls for treating all humans equally|url=https://newsmeter.in/hyderabad/queer-swabhimana-yatra-lgbtq-community-marches-through-hyderabad-calls-for-treating-all-humans-equally-703558|date=14 November 2022|website=newsmeter.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2022-11-16|title=LGBTQIA holds Pride March after three years|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/141122/lgbtqia-holds-pride-march-after-three-years.html|date=14 November 2022|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>

== 2024 ==
In February 2024, Hyderabad hosted its annual queer Pride Parade, with more than 1,000 participants marching from Divyasree NSL Orion near Raidurg Police Station to Shilparamam, carrying rainbow flags and placards calling for inclusion and diversity. Also in 2024, the Queer Swabhimana Yatra, in its ninth edition, saw hundreds of participants from diverse sexual orientations traverse a 4 km route from Gachibowli to Shilparamam. During the march, organisers presented ten key demands, including: A 2% horizontal reservation for transgender persons across OBC, Dalit, and Tribal categories, The establishment of short-stay homes for LGBTQIA+ individuals, And implementation of inclusive healthcare policies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2024-02-13 |title=Stride with pride |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2024/Feb/13/stride-with-pride |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
== 2025 ==
In June 2025, the Mobbera Foundation organised Queer Fiesta to mark ten years of Pride activities in Hyderabad. The event drew over 800 participants, making it one of the largest queer gatherings in the city. Alongside performances, it highlighted ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities, including barriers in education and employment, and stressed the need for inclusion of non-binary and gender-nonconforming people in state policies.
On 14 June 2025, Hyderabad hosted India’s first Interfaith Pride Fest at Bagh Bean Café, Jubilee Hills. Organised by Dragvanti, Rubaroo, Mobbera Foundation and other groups, the festival sought to create dialogue between queer identity and spirituality through performances, storytelling and discussion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dutta |first=Rohan |date=2025-06-23 |title=Queer Fiesta 2025 brings pride, performance and community together |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/queer-fiesta-2025-brings-pride-performance-and-community-together/article69724775.ece |access-date=2025-08-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[LGBTQ rights in Telangana]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Portal bar|Hyderabad|Society|India|LGBTQ}}
{{Hyderabad topics}}
{{LGBT in India}}
{{Pride parades}}

[[Category:2013 establishments in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Annual events in India]]
[[Category:Pride parades in India]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2013]]
[[Category:Culture of Hyderabad, India]]

Hyderabad Queer Pride - Revision history

Himanshuucharan: created a page