Section 377 introduced during the British rule of India, criminalises sexual activities "against the order of nature", which also include homosexual sexual activities.
But despite all this, July 02 is remembered as the day of victory. To celebrate this day, SCRUFF and Those In Need came together to organise the First ever Delhi Bike Pride. SCRUFF is a global dating, travelling and social networking app for men looking to meet other men.
While it poured heavily, the participants still stepped out of their homes early in morning and became a part of it. The ride began while the participants were drenched completely.
A number of organisations came in support of the event and joined for the march. This included not only the community organisations like Humsafar Trust, TWEET Foundation, Indian Aces, Youth LEAD, India HIV/AIDS Alliance, Adhikaar India, Love Matters & Sangini but also bikers groups of men and women like that of the Bikerni, Women’s International Motorcycle Association, Full Throttle, Bikers Paradise, REBC, ROB, Parindey, Turbo Xtreme, Youth Riderz Club and United Spartan Bikers.
While many of the allies - both men and women - were riding, a number of community members became the pillion members - signifying how the support of the allies to the community to take the movement ahead.
The march started from Lakshman Dhaba near IIFT where Harsh Agarwal, Yashwinder Singh and Gautam Yadav explained further the importance of this date and where does the community stand right now - from both legal and social perspective.
The march ended at Hauz Khas Village where the participants marched in circles and flew rainbow balloons in the sky while some of them stood with posters and banners with messages of equality, diversity and to end hate for the LGBTQIA community - all while it rained heavily.