Stonewall, a name bold in red in history of LGBTQ+. Considered as the gay liberation movement, it is the cornerstone of the modern revolution for the queer community. This momentous incident though has a violent foundation, just like any other historical movement which demanded liberation. Early morning of 28th June 1969, Stonewall Inn, a gay bar, was raided by police leading to a violent and spontaneous demonstration by the gay community.

Stonewall Inn

But today, this day is celebrated by the community all across the globe, as a symbol of solidarity and strength. But Stonewall is not the only event, here are a few more:

1. 1951 – Roberta Cowell is the first known British trans woman to undergo reassignment surgery

2. 1967 – the Sexual Offences Act decriminalizes sex between two men over 21 and ‘in private’

3. 1972 – the first Pride march is held in London, attracting around 2000 participants

4. 1982 – Terry Higgins dies of AIDS in St Thomas’ Hospital

5. 1988 – Margaret Thatcher introduces Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988

6. 1992 – the World Health Organisation declassifies same-sex attraction as a mental illness

7. 1996 – a landmark case ruled that an employee who was about to transition was wrongfully dismissed

8. 1999 – former British National Party member David Copeland bombs the Admiral Duncan, one of Soho’s oldest LGBT bars

9. 2004 – the Civil Partnership Act passes, granting civil partnership in the UK

Source: Youth Stonewall Org.

Revolutions have been in response to the acts which are considered as an abomination or violating the norms of the society which then rationalizes their stance through religion and culture. Uttarakhand, Devbhoomi, the Abode of Gods witnessed a groundbreaking event this June. In its capital Dehradun, the month of Pride was celebrated out and loud on streets. It was the second time Dehradun was going to witness a Pride Walk but hustle and obstacles were no less than like it was there the first time. When we asked one of the core members, Krittika Kannojia that why they took such a bold and fierce step in a small town like Doon, she said,

My friend and also one of our core members wanted to attend the Pride Walk. I was no less enthusiastic about going to one, so we decided why not go to Delhi for it. But then we looked at each other and thought, ‘Why not here, why not where home is. Why not!

This conversation changed everything and here we are

Rightly said, “Why not at home?” “Who are we escaping?”

Pride is about coming about with strong resolution and immense courage that, We are here and We are Queer. No second thoughts. No inhibitions. Period. If we look at the core team, it was a healthy and beautiful mixture of queers and empathizers. This is the solidarity we also look forward to when we stand up for LGBTQ+ and VIBGYOR made sure they reflected this same energy.

We wanted to play with the colors of Pride and make something which depicted more depth and substance with its presence. It was an immediate catch. VIBGYOR, the colors in the rainbow are what people’s souls are made of, seemed like a perfect fit. The logo was designed in a way where a Unicorn represented individuals and spectrum of colors reflecting through a prism is like a struggle or realization one comes to about oneself when they finally identify themselves. At last, the colors of the rainbow that is also depicting diversity which is termed under a blanket term QUEER. So, that is how we came up with the name and our beautiful logo.

This is our story which has just begun.

From police permissions to finding sponsors, the journey was difficult for this Pride Walk to happen. The hardest part, which was shared by the members of VIBGYOR was that they found it very difficult to explain to people what actually LGBTQ+ is about. Sponsors which they contacted were all were not “woke enough” about the movement and the terms, also they, if known, their knowledge was limited to transgenders. The team knew the road was hard and often not taken in small towns, so the need for this PrideWalk became more essential.

The day of the Pride when came, Dehradun sky showered rain in magnum amount just four hours before the Parade. The breathless members kept working still hoping for sunshine to cover their sky with hope once again. Prayers were heard soon enough and Doon’s sky was bright with sunrays. The area which was decided to be paraded on was nice and clear to march on. Finally, all of them dolled up in pride colors started with the Pride Walk which started from Dr. B R Ambedkar Stadium, Kaulagarh Road. The diversity of the team has been praiseworthy but seeing the diversity of the crowd was overwhelming. We witnessed everyone from the LGBTQ+ spectrum and them showing their love out loud, bold and proud: that was emotional and gratifying for VIBGYOR to see their hard work, panning out so beautifully.

The Parade was high on the beats of drums and slogans, which were chanted at the top of everyone’s voice. They all danced, celebrated and gave no attention if they were judged. The parade had about 100 people and that was a huge success in VIBGYOR’s kitty who was organizing their first event that too about such a sensitive topic. From planning to execution, we saw compassion and vigilance from the team’s end which was highly needed.

For the longest time, love has been forbidden. Romeo-Juliet, Heer-Ranjha, examples are many. You see west, you see east, love has been resisted for all around. What held love this firm is the power of love itself. Earlier it was just normative form of courtship, the love between cis-hetero male and female, which was too forbidden under the bonds of love.

Now came a spectrum. A spectrum that always existed but never discovered and adapted. A spectrum of a diverse and complex relationship and sexualities which stood in the hindrance of this awakening. When that happened, the forbidden-ness of love exponentially grew. It was time for a revolution. To owning up of who we are with respect to our bodies, sexualities, gender roles, and gender at large.

GENDER became the first issue, everything else trailed after. No more just love was the issue, but the type of love and who you love became the point of concern.

PRIDE.

Pride came out of this darkness. The spectrum which had colors of the rainbow. Colors of LOVE. Love which was not so binary. Love which was not so simple but complex. VIBGYOR Dehradun made sure to do their bit this Pride Month in Devbhoomi. Dehradun streaked of  RAINBOW on the 30th of June, 2019, a proud and momentous incident in the town’s history now.