Pride in Pune: Twin marches this weekend to reflect growing movement for LGBTQIA+ acceptance beyond symbolism

Pune: On consecutive days this weekend, the city’s streets will become spaces of visibility, solidarity and celebration as two Pride Walks bring together LGBTQIA+ community members, organisations, and allies under a shared message of acceptance and equality.The Yutak LGBTQ Trust will host its Pride Walk on June 13 in Shukrawar Peth, while the MIST LGBTQ Foundation will lead a second march on June 14 through Koregaon Park. Together, the events reflect both the diversity and resilience of Pune’s queer community at a time when questions of rights, representation and social acceptance remain deeply relevant.The theme of this year’s walk, ‘Acceptance of every identity is our true identity’, is both a celebration and a demand.“This year’s theme is an appeal to society and govt alike,” said Anil Ukarande, founder-director of Yutak LGBTQ Trust. “Every person has the right to self-identify. We want gender diversity to be recognised and respected in policy and practice. Acceptance cannot be selective,” he said.Ukarande also highlighted concerns about crimes targeting queer people through dating apps and called for stronger action against such offences. “We are seeing more community-friendly policing than before, but there is still work to be done to ensure safety for LGBTQIA+ citizens,” he said.The movement has travelled a long distance since the Pune’s first Pride March in 2011, when fewer than 100 participants gathered in the old city. What began as a cautious act of visibility has grown into one of the city’s most recognisable expressions of community, with thousands now participating annually and an increasing number of allies, educational institutions and corporations joining in support.Last year, more than 1,500 people participated in the Yutak-organised walk, while organisers expect even larger numbers this year. Corporate employees, families and first-time marchers are expected to join alongside long-time activists.For MIST LGBTQ Foundation, this year’s decision to move the march to Koregaon Park is strategic. “We had a lot of discussions when we decided to move the Pride Walk from FC Road to Koregaon Park this year. Some people questioned the decision, asking why we should go to a place like Koregaon Park, where many residents are already aware of LGBTQIA+ issues and are generally open-minded. But we realised that awareness alone is not enough. Today, most people have at least heard about the community and our struggles. What we need now is active support. Allies play a crucial role in standing with us, amplifying our voices and helping drive change. We felt it was important to take Pride to a space where those allies are present and to remind them that the fight for equality and acceptance is far from over,” said Shyam Konnur of MIST LGBTQ Foundation.“We want Pride to be visible where allies are present and where conversations can happen naturally. Support has to be nurtured,” he added.The shift also comes as many queer organisations face shrinking international funding streams, making community participation and local allyship more important than ever, Konnur said.For 24-year-old UX designer and queer community member Rhea Sinha, attending the parade remains an emotional experience. “Pride is one of the few places where I don’t have to explain myself. I can simply exist. Every year I see more young people, more parents and more allies. That gives me hope.”Among those allies is education professional Neha Kulkarni, who plans to march with her students. “Acceptance is not a favour we extend to someone else. It is a value that strengthens society as a whole,” she said.In a city that often prides itself on progressive thought, these marches are a reminder that belonging is not achieved through tolerance alone. It is built through visibility, participation and the collective insistence that every identity deserves dignity.